James Robert Blackburn passed away March 13, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 89. Jim was born July 13, 1933 to James and Nadene Blackburn in Houstonia, Missouri. Jim attended Central Missouri State College where he met Norma Weinrich, his future wife. A call to serve interrupted his studies, Jim joined with the U.S. Army 39th infantry in Germany. Later with the G.I. Bill, he graduated from the University of Missouri and began a career in the fertilizer industry. Although Jim's career required Norma and their growing family to move frequently across the US, he had the privilege of holding managerial positions with some of the top fertilizer companies in the US such as International Minerals, Spencer Chemical, Gulf Oil, Williams Companies, Agrico and Freeport McMoran. After his stint at Freeport in New Orleans he and Norma decided to return to Tulsa to begin his retirement. But retirement didn't last long as Jim entered into a partnership with his longtime friend, Rich Stegmann of Lange-Stegmann where Jim utilized his expertise to move fertilizer internationally. This final chapter in his career was particularly rewarding to him as he was able to draw on his years of experience to essentially run his own business within Lange-Stegmann. During those years Jim made many lifelong friends and always remained in touch with them.

After his retirement, Jim's focus became his amateur photography and service to both his church, Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, and the Sunrise Rotary Club of Tulsa. Each passion won him several awards, even being named Rotarian of the Year. He and Norma traveled extensively, always enjoying the journey as well as the destination. They wintered for many years in Green Valley, Arizona and had many friends they loved to reconnect with every year. No matter where Jim roamed, home was his Missouri farm. Jim and Norma never forgot their family roots, creating and building JB Farms as they went through their life. Heaven on earth was being on his tractor or sitting on his cabin porch there.

Jim and Norma's four children will proudly remember his philosophies of hard work, respect the land, and serve in faith and love. Jim's devotion to his large family leaves cherished memories to fill the hole in their hearts with his passing.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years Norma, his sister and brother-in-law Dick and Judy Andrews, sister-in-law Phyllis Weinrich. He is survived by his son Tom Blackburn (Carol) of Garden City, KS; son Dave Blackburn (Kathy) of Westfield, IN, daughter Diane Tuttle (Steve) of Tulsa, OK; daughter Traci Harvel (Jerald) of Sperry, OK; Grandchildren Erin Blackburn of Hutchinson, KS; Kyle Blackburn (Chantel) of Enid, OK; Mark Blackburn (Cat) of Garden City, KS; Sara Killgore (Kyle) of Augusta, KS; Michelle Blackburn (fiance' Matt) of Chicago, IL; Jason Blackburn of Indianapolis, IN; Justin Tuttle (Marissa) of Tulsa, OK; Natalie Belie of Tulsa, OK; Lindsey Belie (fiance' Joby) of Madill, OK; Jacie Byers(Bailey) of Conway, AR; Trace Harvel of Sperry, OK; and four great-grandchildren. His brothers Ev Blackburn (Jan) and Joe Blackburn (Janice) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held in Tulsa, OK on Sunday March 19th at 3:00pm at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church at 2550 E 71st St. A burial service will be held in Houstonia, MO on Monday March 20th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunrise Rotary Club of Tulsa Foundation or American Heart Association. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 Please share your memories at










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