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Jimmy Blackburn

Jimmy Blackburn

May 25, 1939 - Jan 30, 2011
Jimmy Blackburn of Riverton died at Riverton Memorial Hospital Sunday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2011. He was 72.

Traditional Native American services are at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, at the family home, 50 Miller Lane. Harrison Shoyo and Arlen Shoyo officiate. Interment will be in the Blackburn Cemetery. A wake starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the family home.

Jimmy Blackburn was born in Fort Washakie on May 25, 1939, the son of Basil and Mary D. (Brown) Blackburn and had lived all of his life at Arapahoe. He attended school at St. Stephen's, Busby Indian School in Montana, Rocky Mountain Tech College in Thermopolis, WY, and RETC in Roswell, N.M.

He married Ruby Highpine in Riverton on Sept. 4, 1959. They had been together since 1955.

Mr. Blackburn was a school bus driver for the St. Stephen's and Wyoming Indian schools for many years. He had worked throughout Wyoming as an underground miner. When he was younger, Mr. Blackburn worked for Farmers Union Co-Cop and for U.S. Plywood for several years.

He was a member of the Native American Church and of the Eagle Drum Group. As a roadman for the Native American Church, Mr. Blackburn had traveled across the Western states, doing prayer services for all people, Indians and non-Indians.

Survivors include his wife Ruby; sons, Larry Blackburn and his wife Alvina, Angelo Jenkins, Myka Blackburn, Andy Butts, Abram McKinzie, Bryan Williams, James Brinkerhoff, and Frank Zsarstek; daughters, Lupe Blackburn, Madeliva Parker, Sacheen Brown and husband Shawn, Joanne Jenkins, and Amanda Grover; grandchildren, Shane Blackburn, Cody Blackburn, Jody Blackburn, LittleHawk Blackburn, Jamakee Blackburn, D.J. LittleShield, Donelle LittleShield, Donovan LittleShield, Dominique LittleShield, Shantell Blackburn, Macalia Blackburn, Siera Young, and Yolonda Young; great grandchildren, Kim Blackburn, Salem Ynostrosa, Camellia Brown, Consualo Yellowbear, and Calista Yellowbear; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Preceding Mr. Blackburn in death were his parents; a son, P.J. Blackburn in 1999; a daughter, Bridgette Kim Jenkins in 1984; a son, Donavan Blackburn in 1985; great granddaughters, Marcella Hope Yellowbear, Rochelle Blackburn, Chelsa Blackburn; siblings, Michael Blackburn, Edward Blackburn, Lillian Kane, Lucille Pino, Margaret Blackburn, and Elizabeth Blackburn.

On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com

Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.