Funeral services for James Allen “Bud” Blackburn, 87, of Ada will be 11:11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Baptist Church with interment to follow at Swan Hill Cemetery. Pastors Rusty Fuller and David Gray will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home.
James Allen ‘Bud’ Blackburn went to his heavenly home on February 12, 2019.
Bud was born April 13, 1931 at Steedman, Oklahoma, and with the brief exception of service in the U.S. Army from 1954 – 1956, Bud resided in Ada his entire life. Bud was an integral part of the auto industry in Ada for his entire adult life. He was first employed by J. A. Richardson, his mentor and friend, before becoming the owner of Richardson Motors from 1960 to 1990. Bud was so trusted and admired that he was consistently voted Ada’s Favorite Car Salesman.
Bud served on the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission for sixteen years under Governors Bellmon, Boren, and Nigh. After selling his automobile dealership, Bud remained active in sales with local dealerships Marion Fenton, Service Automall, and Mid-America Motors. Retirement was never part of Bud’s plan. His motto was always “make the man a hand,” and he did just that until the end. At that time of his death, Bud was working at Seth Wadley. Bud loved his church. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church for 60 years. In his later years, he enjoyed serving as a ‘greeter’ and serving coffee and smiles. The young children insisted upon entering through Bud’s door so they could hear his signature Donald Duck impersonation.
Bud’s parents were Volney ‘Sim’ Blackburn and Myrtle Sloan Blackburn. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Doris, three daughters, Stacy Crabtree, Kim Hill, and Tiffany Anderson and husband Boadie, all of Ada, and son, Mitchell Blackburn and wife Tracey of Norman. Bud’s grandchildren include Lindsey Blackburn of Tulsa, Carly Hill Johnson and husband Daniel of Moore, Jordan Blackburn Horn and husband Zac of Norman, Parker Blackburn of San Diego, California, and Avery, Noble and Emory Anderson of Ada. Bud also has two great grandchildren, Woodley Johnson of Moore, and Ellington Rose Horn of Norman. Bud also leaves a nephew, Glen Blackburn, of Texas, and a niece, Carol Shipley of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Olney and V.B., and son-in-law Howell Hill.
Active bearers include Dr. David Martin, Jim Sanders, Jim Rice, Bob Tweedy, Mark Kedy, Alan Ogles, John Wise, Shane Johnson, Mark Reed, and Mark Landrith.
Honorary bearers include Joe Bradshaw, George Hull, Governor Bill Anoatubby, Ed Bray, his church family at Trinity Baptist, the former employees of Richardson Motors, and the employees of Seth Wadley.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers those who wish may contribute to the Trinity Baptist Church Haiti Mission Fund in honor of his granddaughter Avery Anderson.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
