Rufus M. Blackburn, 91, of Xenia, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Legacy Assisted Living. He was born to the late Kenneth and Betty Reed Blackburn on February 13, 1931, in Goody, Kentucky. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He retired from Marathon Oil Company after 28 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara (Couser) Blackburn; son and daughter: Shaun (Denise) Blackburn and Sara (Marty) Larson; grandchildren: Amy (Joe) Marshall, Lydia (Shawn) Imel, Tabitha (Tyler) Stout, Noah (Julia) Pangalangan; great grandchildren: Rhiana (Ulysses), Elijah, Isaac, Foster, Felix, Finley and Farrah. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nena Moore, a great-granddaughter, Everly Love, and by siblings, Mabel Stratton, Ruth Gibson, Alice Mae Vansickel and Kenneth Ray Blackburn. Rufus will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Private visitation will be held for the family. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery, Xenia. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1120 S. Detroit St., Xenia, OH, 45385. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com .