Russell Leon Blackburn

On May 12, 2017, we lost to natural causes a very caring and amazing man, Russell Leon Blackburn. Leon was born in 1945 in Richmond, California, to Joe and Pauline Blackburn. The family moved to Concord, California, in 1955. He enjoyed being an only child for nearly 12 years until, much to his chagrin, his sisters, Patty Jo and Deborah, arrived on the scene. He then learned, in his own inimitable style, to become a caring big brother who was both loving and protective of them. Leon met his first wife, Pat Ingram, in high school and they married in 1963. Together, they had two children, Russell Leon Blackburn Jr., in 1969 and Michele Leigh, in 1972. While married and raising a young family, he worked full time and attended San Francisco State University where he got his B.A. and then earned his M.B.A. at St. Mary’s in Moraga, both conferred with honors. He passed all parts of the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination, at one sitting in 1980 and was certified as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) in 1993. Leon quickly became successful in business and had a 30-plus year career in finance in the telecommunications industry. His dear wife Pat passed away in 1997. After working for several corporations, he finally retired from GenCorp/Aerojet as Vice President/Corporate Controller in 2008. Through a mutual friend he met, fell in love with, and, in 1999 married Onnie. Together, they shared each other’s interests: the Raiders, travel, opera, and cooking and he became an avid spectator of Onnie’s competitions in the sport of rowing. Along with Onnie, Leon served those in need as an active volunteer in the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin. Near and dear to his heart, was the time spent with his grandkids, Ryan and Emma. Leon will be remembered for the incredible love and tenderness he gave his family and his generosity to others. He is survived by his loving wife, Onnie, his son Russell (Stefanie), his daughter Michele Garvey (Brian) and his grandkids, Ryan James and Emma Kay Garvey, sisters Patty Jo Laughead (Bill) and Deborah Villalobos (Frank), numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Gigi. A service will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mill Valley. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin, P.O. Box 150527, San Rafael, CA 94915.