Ira Lee Blackburn passed away Nov. 11, 2024, in Fruitland, Idaho. He was born on October 11, 1935 in Englewood, Kan., to Ralph Harold and Florence Luvene (Smith) Blackburn. He joined one brother and two sisters, Ruth Loretta, Lorenza Bel, and Harold Vernon. Ira was joined by brother Ralph Helton and the last brother Orville Phillip. In the sping of 1937, the family moved to Craig, Colo., where they lived for the next several years. Adopting Lorenza’s son Helton Lee. Ira began school in a small country school at Fortification Creek, then Walden. Finishing the elementary years in the Craig schools through the ninth. He finished his high school days at Campion Academy, graduating in 1954. While attending Campion he met a very lovely young woman, Winifred Forshee, and she agreed to become his life companion. They were married June 6, 1955. To this union were born three sons. Thomas Lee, Donald Wayne, and Ronald Dale. Then in 1994 they adopted Kendra Michelle. Ira spent two years in the Army from 1955 to 1957. Being part of the Whitecoats, in Washington DC, he participated in the sleep depravation project. Ira worked at various jobs: JJ Stanton transportation on the dock; Loveland Broom Co. for nine years, Lincoln broom factory, for seven years, at which time Ira went on to college and earned his bachelor’s in business education. He taught for two years and did accounting at Sheyenne River Academy. He was then called to Oak Park Academy to head up the Broom Factory. He taught for two years at Burwell, Neb., and spent time at LaVada Mission. He canvassed and worked in various types work: a hearing aid specialist and driving trucks until he retired in 2010. Ira was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and both sisters. Ira is survived by his wife, Winifred; sons, Thomas, Donald, Ronald, daughter Kendra, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.