Lester Gerald Blackburn - 1942-2007

Lester Gerald Blackburn, 64, of Grayson, Ky., passed unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, with his wife and children by his side.

Lester was born Dec. 6, 1942, a son of the late Kermit Blackburn and Ralph and Ruby Taylor Broughton. A loving husband and father, 
Lester’s life was about his family.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Preston Blackburn; and two children, Barry Shane Blackburn and Leslie Blackburn Herzog and her husband, 
Stephen Herzog, of Ashland, Ky.

A devoted grandfather, he is survived by three grandchildren, Brittany Morgan Herzog of Bowling Green, Ky., Shane Christian Blackburn of Boyd County, Ky., 
and Maxxton Keith Blackburn of Safety Harbor, Fla.; a sister, Needa Ann Reed of Huntington, W.Va.; and many family, lifelong friends and neighbors 
whom he loved and with whom he shared his legacy.

Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, he was employed by Armco Steel for 10 years, leaving to pursue a long career in the Appalachian coalfields. 
He was a former owner and operator of River Cities Raceway Park and Eagles Nest Golf Course. He was a former board member of the Hack Estep Home for 
Boys and coordinated the yearly charity, Race for the Kids, for the Gertrude Ramey Children’s Home. He was a charter member of 
American Legion Elwood Stringer Post 325 and a member of Skyline Drive Church of Christ in Ashland.

Lester loved and shared his life with his family and friends. His favorite hobbies and pastimes included golf, fishing, antiquing, oil painting, 
karaoke and board games. He was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Lester made a great impact on those who knew him. His selfless, fun loving and compassionate personality defined him. He will be deeply missed, 
but his spirit will live on.

Friends are invited to celebrate his life from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods. 
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens.

Following the services, friends and family are invited to the home of Stephen and Leslie Herzog.

Submitted by: Linda Cheeks Pittano

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