Morris E. Blackburn

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Emery, Utah – Morris E. Blackburn passed away Dec. 9, 2016 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and COPD in Ferron, Utah. He was born Jan. 6, 1939 in Standardville, Utah to Elbert Blackburn and Nina Anderson Blackburn. He married Phyllis Ekker Blackburn on June 6, 1964 in Ely, Nevada.
Morris was raised in Emery, Utah and graduated from South Emery High School where he was a four time letterman in track and basketball. He served in the U.S. Army where he spent two years active duty in Germany. He attended the University of Utah and was a member of the LDS Church. He worked as a cadastral surveyor for the BLM and worked as an engineer in multiple mines and states. He moved back to Emery in 1981 where he worked as a coal miner and a farmer on the side. He was an avid basketball fan, and he enjoyed watching his grandkids play as well as the Utah Jazz. He loved hunting, going on the mountain and spending time with family. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the pride of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years Phyllis; children Troy (Deborah) Blackburn of Hanksville, Kelly (Steve) Oldroyd of Orangeville, and Nicole (Trent) Wilstead of Cleveland, Utah; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters Louise McKean and Karla (Everette) Ekker, many brothers-in-law and their wives, his Uncle Louis Blackburn and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Sheldon, sister Peggy and grandson Grant Oldroyd.
Funeral services are Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the LDS Chapel in Emery, Utah, 70 N Center St. Prior to services family will receive family and friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Interment at Emery Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contribution to National Parkinson Foundation.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the doctors and nurses, Emery County Care and Rehab and Symbi Home Health and Hospice for their loving kindness and care. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Friends and family may visit the online guestbook and share a memory of Morris at www.fausettmortuary.com.