John William Blackburn of Centerville, Tennessee, passed away March 21, 2025 at Horizon Medical Center in Dickson, Tennessee, due to a continuing illness. John was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, January 8, 1948. He was welcomed by his parents, the late Daniel and Marie Blackburn, and big sister Gloria.

John graduated from Blountville High School and then from University of Tennessee where he was named a Honor Military Graduate. He spent 22 years in the army. John served at Fort Sill, in Germany, Redstone Arsenal, Milan Army Aviation Camp, Fort Leavenworth and the Pentagon. He served 13 years in Germany, he came back to the states to Redstone Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois to procure ammunition for Europe.

John was instrumental in bringing the perishing missile into Germany along with five hundred policeman.

After retirement John came to Centerville to Camp NaCome. During his ten years there John built new cabins and made tremendous improvements. John was thinking of something he could do to help out Centerville and the American Red Cross. He began talking to people that were invested in making a difference and he came up with the National Banana Pudding Festival. The last few months of his life, he started another project called Camp Hope. Its purpose was to focus on Nursing Facilities for Veterans. John never got to finish this, but maybe someone will pick up where he left off and carry on this project.

John is survived by his two daughters; Kaitlin Blackburn (Kyle Bell) of Woodland, Washington and Corey Blackburn of Columbia, Tennessee; sister Gloria Blackburn Culver (Sonny) of Rogersville, Tennessee. In addition to his parents John is proceeded in death by his wife, Mary Clayton Blackburn.

Visitation with the family will be 29 March 2025 from 10:30 – 11:00 AM with a A Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 AM at McDonald Funeral Home – Hickman County.

McDonald Funeral Home in Centerville, Tennessee is honored to be serving the Blackburn Family during this difficult time.