March 18, 1940 – May 16, 2025
Elba L. Blackmon, 85, of Great Valley, NY died Friday, May 16, 2025 at home following a long illness.
Born March 18, 1940 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late Lymon and Marie Putnam Blackmon.
He attended Kill Buck School and the Ruskin High School, Ruskin, FL.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving from 1957 – 1961 where he was a member of the Blue Angels as an aircraft mechanic. He had previously served with the Florida National Guard from 1955 – 1957.
Elba had been employed as a rotor assemblyman with the former Dresser Rand, Olean, NY for over 42 years, retiring in 2006.
He was a lifetime patron member of the NRA and of the Ellicottville American Legion, Post 0659. He was also a social member of the Great Valley Fire Company and had previously been an active member. He had also been a Regatta canoe “sweeper”. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, traveling, and was an avid reader, as well as going to area flee markets and horse pulls. He was also an avid Buffalo Bills fan.
Surviving are: 3 daughters, Tamara (Philip) Jones, Diana (Chester) Andrews, Darla (Michael) Martin; 2 granddaughters; 4 grandsons; 2 step granddaughters; 2 great-granddaughters; 7 great-grandsons; a step great-granddaughter; 4 step great-grandsons; a niece, Connie (Kent) Nixon, and nephew, John Elba Forehand. Thank you to the Curtis and Evans families for the many years of friendship and support.
He was predeceased by a sister, Hollice Forehand.
There will be no visitation.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the family and will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Great Valley Fire Company, P.O. Box 142, 6035 Depot Street, Great Valley, NY 14741.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
