Cedar City, Utah - Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather Charles H. Blackburn, age 82 passed away on March 10, 2012 in Cedar City, Utah. He was born December 12, 1929 in Kanab, Utah to Lester and Dola DeMille Blackburn. He graduated from Cedar High School in 1948. He married his sweetheart, Marjorie Bauer, on July 22, 1948 in Cedar City, Utah; the marriage was later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple on February 14, 1951. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years together! Marjorie preceded him in death on November 20, 2011.

He worked in construction throughout his life, starting several companies in the area, including Blackburn & Gower Construction, Ironco Concrete, Western Rock Products, Southern Utah Heritage, Ironco Block and Blackburn & Associates, constructing many buildings throughout Utah and Nevada. During that time he served on the Board of Directors for the Associated General Contractors of Utah.

He was active in the community always giving back to others, for example, he was a lifetime member of the Boy Scouts of America receiving the Silver Beaver Award in 1975 and was instrumental in the construction of Thunder Ridge Boy Scout Camp, and the Evelyn Webster Girls Camp; he donated many hours and materials in assisting families affected by the subsidence on Highland Drive. He enjoyed the Rotary Club and Sons of the Utah Pioneers, receiving Outstanding Citizen Award in 2004. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for State Bank of Southern Utah for 27 years.

Charles faithfully fulfilled many callings in the LDS Church. Charles and Marjorie loved serving together in the St. George Temple; they served as ordinance workers for 6 years; they then served in the St. George Temple Presidency from 1995-1998. He was set apart as a Sealer in the St. George Temple in 1993 and served in that position until his death. The friendships made there brought great joy and happiness into their lives. Using his vast experience in construction Charles and Marjorie served a Construction Mission for the building of the Fukuoka Japan Temple 1999-2000.

Charles is survived by his six daughters, Carla (Monty) Stratton, Cedar City; Leslie (Ross) Dalton, Yuma, Arizona; Margene (Carl) LeFevre, Cedar City; Julie (Glen) Bishop, St. George, JoAnn (Mike) Topham, St. Charles, Missouri; and Brenda Lee Blackburn, Cedar City; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; brothers & sisters Larry Blackburn, Ferr Blackburn, Lily Harris, Helen Wilden and Dee Perry. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Lester Paul.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 16, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cedar LDS 4th Ward Chapel, 500 West 400 North, Cedar City, Utah. Visitations will be held Thursday evening, from, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, prior to services, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. both at the Chapel. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.