Art Thomas "Tom" Blackburn

Art Thomas “Tom” Blackburn, 80, of Alexandria, Virginia, formerly of Boggstown, passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at his residence. He was born December 30, 1936, in West Union, Ohio, the son of James and Alice (McNeilan) Blackburn. Tom is survived by his brothers, James W. Blackburn and wife, Elizabeth “Betty”, of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Stephen R. Blackburn of Springfield, Virginia; sister, Peggy Blackburn Thomas and husband, Marlin, of Flat Rock; sister-in-law, Judy H. Blackburn of Shelbyville; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Laurence M. “Buster” Blackburn; and sister, Patricia Blackburn Schoentrup. Tom graduated from Boggstown High School in 1955, and received his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Indiana University. He retired as an optical engineer for the U.S. Government at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with over 30 years of service. Tom enjoyed gardening, reading and woodworking. A favorite quote that Tom lived by was “You don’t learn when you talk, you only learn when you listen.” Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Boggstown Cemetery in Boggstown. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana University Scholarship Fund, PO Box 500, Bloomington, Indiana 47402.