Larry Blackburn, Sr.

Larry Bruce “Blackie” Blackburn, Sr. passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Candler Hospital after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Larry was known to most of his friends and co-workers as Blackie. He was known as Dad to his three children, and to his grandchildren as Dadeek and Deek. 

Larry was born in Savannah on October 4, 1952, to Corrie Holmes Blackburn, Jr.and Dartheal Crosby Blackburn. He grew up in Port Wentworth on Aberfeldy Street and had fond memories of his old neighborhood. He walked to school at the old Port Wentworth Elementary, was a Raider at Mercer Jr. High, and graduated from Groves High School in 1970. He briefly attended Armstrong Community College and then went to work, becoming an excellent mechanic. As a young man, Larry purchased (and modified) a canary yellow 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport, a car he reminisced about for decades. 

In 1972, Larry married an Effingham County girl, Irene Hodges, and in 1975, they moved from Savannah to Seckinger family property north of Springfield, where he made his home until his death. In 1989, he broke ground on his home and did most of the construction himself, a job of which he was extremely proud. 

Over the years, Larry worked at various service or filling stations repairing cars and driving wreckers. He even opened two service stations of his own, one on Abercorn Street and later one in downtown Springfield. He worked for several car dealerships, including J. C. Lewis Ford, Critz Buick, and McKenzie Chevrolet. He also worked at Napa in Springfield until 1986, when he was hired by Fort Howard Corp. as one of its first adjusters at the new paper mill in Rincon. He worked there for twenty years and became an expert at repairing paper machines, including his favorite, the Hobema. 

Growing up in Port Wentworth, Larry attended First Baptist Church of Port Wentworth, where he made his profession of faith. In 2017, he became an active member of The Church at Turkey Branch. 

Survivors include his children Erika (Eric) Bragg, April Clark, and Larry Blackburn, Jr.; his grandchildren, Christopher, Anna, and Emily Bragg, and Thomas Clark; his brothers, Charles (Yolonda) Blackburn, Sr. and Jerry Blackburn, Sr.; several cousins, dozens of nieces and nephews, and many friends. 

Visitation will be held at Carlson & Riggs Funeral Home on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel. The funeral service will be conducted by Larry’s childhood friend, Randy Nease, pastor of The Church at Turkey Branch.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Larry’s memory to Nancy N. and J. C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion in Savannah.