BLACKBURN, JUAN ENNIS (1938~2002) Juan Ennis, "Chunky" Blackburn, District Judge, was born on December 21, 1938, in Hamilton, Texas to Chester and Ora Lee Blackburn. The family moved to Spearman, Texas in 1943. He graduated from Spearman High School in 1957. From there, he graduated from West Texas State University in Canyon in 1962. He married Zetha Ivey on September 13, 1962.
In 1968, Blackburn received a law degree from St. Mary's Law School in San Antonio. During his last year of law school, he worked for Legal Aid. Upon graduation, Blackburn returned to Spearman to practice law. On January 1, 1973, he became the Hansford County Attorney. In 1979, Governor William Clements appointed him District Judge of the 84th District Court. Blackburn ran for and won his seat three additional times. Judge Blackburn retired in 1993 and became a visiting Judge. In total, Judge Blackburn served for twenty years on the bench.
As a youth Blackburn excelled in track, football and basketball. He was an avid sports fan and outdoorsman. On August 6, 1993, he married Nancy Hess. They made their residence in Houston, Texas.
Judge Blackburn passed away on May 1, 2002, at the age of 63. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Blackburn; his mother, Ora Lee Blackburn; his daughters, Denice Bridges, Sara Deuillet, and Adrian Robison; stepson, Stephen Hudson; stepdaughter, Hillary Stull, brother; Bill Blackburn, sisters; Bo Bradley and Elaine Cessnun and numerous grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father, Chester Blackburn, and his brother, Ed Blackburn.
Information taken from obituary, Houston Chronicle, Friday, May 3, 2002. |
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