Rex Earl Blackburn, 87 of Friona passed away January 16, 2022 in Friona. Viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday, January 21, 2022 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY with Celebration of Life Services scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday,  January 22, 2022 at the Sixth Street Church of Christ in Friona with Jeff Procter, officiating. Burial following in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.

Rex was born April 15,1934 in a farmhouse near Parmerton Hill to Claude Thomas and Josephine Davis Blackburn.  He was the oldest of 4 including siblings Carol Beth, Donna Joyce, and Keith Lynn.

Rex married Marilyn Gail Fairchild on Sept 8, 1956, in Friona at the Friona United Methodist Church. Soon thereafter he was drafted into the Armed Services where he attended Boot Camp at Killeen and then served in Germany. He served 2 years.

Rex farmed his whole life starting with working for his dad on the farm southeast of town at "Blackburn Corner".  He then started farming for his father in-law E.L. Fairchild renting a half section of land from him. He built his house on that farm where all the kids were born and raised. He also partnered on land in Adrian, Tx with his brother in-law Larry Fairchild. They farmed that land until around 1980 where he sold his part back to Larry. He instilled a strong work ethic in his kids by keeping us on tractors and irrigating the farms.

He was one of the best mechanics! He could fix anything from the smallest item to overhauling irrigation engines, tractors, and combines.

Rex loved to go camping and fishing. He enjoyed taking the family on vacations to Lake City Colorado to camp, fish, and take jeep rides over Engineer Pass. He was known to take his bath in the stream behind the camp! He made us kids do the same. It was so cold it made us all shrivel up!

He loved his Lord and was a member at the Sixth Street Church of Christ his entire adult life.  He instilled that love of the Lord to all his children. We are forever grateful for that!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Josephine, a sister Carol Beth Pounds, and a grandson Brian Hank Blackburn.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Marilyn Blackburn. One sister Donna Smith of Canyon, Texas and one brother Keith Lynn Blackburn of Friona, Texas. Four children David Blackburn and wife Laura of Amarillo, Texas, Mike Blackburn and wife Johnna of Friona, Texas, Lynn Hutson and husband Mike of Bushland Texas. Brian Blackburn and wife Kerry of Oklahoma City. Nine grandkids and twelve great grandkids.

The family request memorials to be sent to Prairie Acres or High Plains Children's Home.

The family would also like to express our deepest appreciation to all the caregivers at Prairie Acres Nursing Home and Bluebonnet Home Health and Hospice