Charles D. Blackburn, 67, passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2004 at Whidbey General Hospital, following a courageous battle with cancer. Chuck was surrounded by loving family when he passed.

Born on Sept. 2, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio to Thelma Poorman and Charles “Blackie” Blackburn, he lived his early years in the Cleveland area with his brother Bill, and later, step-father Lou Boehme and sister Lyn.

Chuck enlisted in the US Navy in 1955, serving several re-enlistments through 1965, including a tumultuous service in the Pacific between the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Married to Gail Prevost in 1961, the family relocated to Seattle from Long Beach, Calif, after the birth of their three sons, Donald, David and Douglas, eventually settling on Whidbey Island.

For 30 years the Blackburn home was a nucleus of love and support for their sons and the many friends and foster children whose lives were touched by Chuck and his family, known as the Busy B’s. Chuck was involved in scouting for many years at Troop 57, becoming a driving force in the troop’s success and influencing the lives of many young men, and women in scouts, or friends of his sons.

Chuck retired from Harborview Medical Center in 1993 following 25 years of service in the maintenance and engineering department, lastly as its director.

In retirement, Chuck’s new career as an inventor and Mr. Fix-it fully bloomed and his skills were put to work organizing and planning for their new home in Oak Harbor, where the couple settled in 2000 after selling their Goss Lake home.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Gail, sons Donald and his wife Shelley, and Douglas; sister Lyn Berry of Ohio; sisters-in-law Alana Prevost and Darlene Prevost; grandchildren Katy Remmington, Christopher Blackburn, Aleesha Miller, Shea Coe, and numerous extended family in the United States and Canada, including foster children Leese Johnson and Lesley McConnell.

Chuck was preceded in death by his son David in 1995. Memorials may be sent to Whidbey Island Bank in Chuck Blackburn’s name for Scout Troop 57.