Charles Henry Blackburn

Charles H. “Chuck” Blackburn, 66, Detroit Lakes, MN passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Fargo, surrounded by family and loved ones.

He was born in Park Rapids, MN on February 17, 1957, a son of the late Samuel Mack and Beverly Blackburn.  He attended local schools and was a 1975 graduate of Park Rapids High School.  Growing up, Chuck worked at his family’s restaurant, the Dixie Drive-In in Park Rapids.   He remembered his time there in detail, and often shared stories about those days with friends and family.

Following his graduation, Chuck enrolled in the US Army, serving for 3 years in Frankfurt, Germany before being honorably discharged.  He later married Marcy (Anderson), and together they raised 3 children.  Chuck obtained a degree in communications from Northwest Technical College, and built a career first around stereo sales, and later he started his own cellular communications business of 22+ years of success.  Chuck also spent seven years working for SJE Rhombus building circuit boards before retiring.

Chuck was a tinkerer; he always enjoyed working on his two collector vehicles.  He loved music, stereos and records and worked at a record store in earlier years. He loved watching his kids play sports and took great pride in their success. Chuck was a jokester, and his children remember him as a deeply funny man.   Although he was very social, he also enjoyed the quiet of looking out over the lake and taking in nature’s beauty, often with his Golden Retrievers by his side.  He loved his family and will be sadly missed.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Marcy, of 41 years; his children: Derek (Cayla) Blackburn, Justin (Brie) Blackburn and Jamie (Tyler) Leidman; his grandchildren: Maxwell, Zoey and Noah and a sister, Sherry (Joe) Safratowich.  

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Rex Blackburn and his grandparents, Alice and Harold Rutherford.

A time of gathering for Chuck will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 12 noon to 1 PM at West-Kjos Funeral Home (900 Summit Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501).  A memorial service and celebration of his life will follow at 1 PM.   Military honors will be given at the conclusion of those services.  Final resting will be in Richwood Lakeside Cemetery at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the VA Medical Center-Fargo, as well as Emma with the VA TeleHealth program.

West-Kjos Funeral Home is serving the family.  For more information, please visit WestKjos.com or call (218) 847-7279.