Frank Alan Blackburn

It is with deep sadness that we share long-time St. James resident, Frank Alan Blackburn, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 17, after a brief battle with advanced melanoma in the brain and lungs. Born to Frank and Vera Blackburn, August 14, 1947 in Kenton, Ohio he attended Riverdale High School where he met his wife, Jacki who survives him.

Known affectionately as “Al, BA, Gaga, and F. Al,” he was a 14-year winner of Grandfather of the Year and leaves behind incredible grandkids, Sawyer, Drew and Charleston as well as daughter, Julie (m. Derek) Dingman of Woodstock, GA and son, Andy (m. Jill) of Chicago, IL. He also leaves behind his sister, Karen (m. John) Roettger with a long list of incredible extended family throughout Ohio. Al and Jacki’s late son, Michael, passed away in 2003 and there is no doubt that father and son are teeing it up and toasting the rest of us from heaven.

Al and Jacki were married for 52 amazing years filled with world travel, adventures, and spending time with family and friends. They moved to St. James in 2007 where Al was a regular on the golf course, pickle ball, Bike Club organizer, kayaking, beer club and any other opportunity to socialize with their plethora of friends. Al was a diehard fan of Ohio State Football (O-H!) and Chicago Cubs Baseball and was known to watch every game, often letting the neighborhood know his emotions surrounding what was happening!

Al was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, an active school-day coach and fundraiser for the First Tee of Brunswick County, St. James Auxiliary fire hydrant tester, and an organizer and volunteer for several charity and community events.

A celebration of life service is planned for Monday, November 6th at 3:00pm on the beach behind the St. James Beach Club, 100 SE 72nd St, Oak Island, NC. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the First Tee of Brunswick County or your local First Tee Chapter.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Blackburn family.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.