Wallace Hoyt Blackburn, 91, died Nov. 14, 2014, in Tampa.
Born Dec. 6, 1922, to Elizabeth and Stonewall Jackson Blackburn, in Plant City, he and his older brother, Kline, grew up in central Florida, both graduating from Pasco High School. He joined the U.S. Army in 1941. After his discharge at war’s end, Wallace worked briefly at Raybro Electric and then re-enlisted in the military, this time in the U.S. Air Force. In February 1947, he married Joanne Elizabeth Blackburn. He was stationed in England, Texas, Virginia and Guam before retiring out of MacDill AFB in 1963, as a Master Sergeant. He enjoyed a long retirement, eventually settling into a lawn maintenance business with a family friend. Combining his love of the outdoors with his desire to be his own boss, this job let him demonstrate his green thumb and attention to detail. He was a longtime member of Palma Ceia Baptist Church. He was a devoted son, participating in the care of both of his aging parents.
He is survived by daughters, Marlana Blackburn, of Seattle, and Marsha Johnson (Mel), of Orlando; and two grandchildren, a great-grandson, a niece and many cousins.