Obituary Don Blackburn Dies in Kentucky

Don Blackburn

By Ruth Lepper

Longtime Ramona resident Don Blackburn died Aug. 3, 2005, in Pikeville, Ky., of an apparent heart attack.

Blackburn, 70, was well known in the art communities in Ramona and Julian. He was director of the Santa Ysabel Art Gallery from 1992-96 and the California Gallery in Ramona in the mid-1980s. He started the Santa Ysabel Art Festival in 1992 and also represented several artists in the area.

“Don’s strength and gift was establishing connection with local artists and encouraging their participation in the gallery and festival,” said Annie Rowley, owner of the Santa Ysabel Art Gallery. “He was also instrumental in the use of art for fundraising and a true champion of the arts.”

Blackburn organized Starving Artists sales in Ramona and benefit art auctions for the Friends of the Ramona Library, Friends of the Julian Library and Ramona Town Hall. He was a member of the Julian Arts Guild and Ramona Art Guild and was a supporter of the annual Open Studio Tours in both Julian and Ramona.

He worked at the San Diego Wild Animal Park until 2001, and before that was with Pioneer Health Foods in Ramona.

Blackburn was interested in researching his family history and was a member of San Diego County Genealogical Association in Ramona and the Sparks Family Association in Kentucky.

Donald Kenneth Blackburn was born April 10, 1935, in Pike County, Ky., the youngest of John and Victoria Sparks Blackburn’s nine children. Survivors include his sons, Jeffery Lyle Blackburn and Roy Kenny Blackburn, both of Pikeville; brothers John Trimble Blackburn, of Pikeville, and Claude Blackburn, of Bronson, Fla.; sister Lucille B. Looney, of Brownstown, Mich.; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Lucas Blackburn, of Pikeville.

Burial was at Bent Ridge Cemetery in Meta, Ky., with his nephew, John George Blackburn, officiating at the graveside service. Words of condolence for Blackburn's family may be left at www.jwcallfuneralhome.com.