Harold "Argie" Blackburn Argie was born November 2, 1925 to Argus and Chloe Blackburn in Hagarville, Arkansas; he passed away March 7, 2006 in Kent. Argie moved to Mount Vernon in 1935 and soon started a career in making friends and serving others at the age of 10 when he went to work delivering the local newspaper. His 4:00 am aerobic workouts tossing papers from his bicycle helped him excel in track and football at Mount Vernon High School where he graduated in 1944. His desire to serve led him to join the U.S. Marines where he trained as a machine gunner and survived one of the bloodiest battles in World War II, earning the Bronze Star for bravery and witnessing the US Flag being raised on the Island of Iwo Jima. It was on that island at the age of 19, he made a promise to God that if He got him off that island alive he would serve him for the rest of his life. Twenty-eight days later he walked off that island with a respect for life and a commitment to show the best of it to those he would meet. Returning home to Mount Vernon he met the love of his life, Patricia Serrurier and was soon married and started a family. Living true to his promise to serve the Lord, he moved his family to South Carolina where he attended Bob Jones University, earning a degree in Pastoral Ministry. He started several churches in the Southern California area before moving back to Washington in the late 1960's where he pastored Dunlap Baptist Church in Seattle until he semi-retired, and moved back to the Skagit Valley in 1980. He loved people and he loved life. He always said no body has more fun than people and wanted his family and friends to know they were loved and special. They were in his life for a reason and he was in their life for a season. A bright joy has left the Valley, but hearts are warmer because he was there. Until we meet in the circle at the feet of Jesus you will live on in our hearts. Argie is survived by his loving family; daughters: Pam (Scott) Hutchinson and Jennifer (Warren) Dyson; grandchildren: Nicole, Lisa, Jene´e, and Joshua; great-grandchildren: Bailey and Madison and Abella on the way. Viewing will be held Friday, March 10, 2006, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home. A Graveside Service will be held Monday, March 13, 2006, 12:30 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2006,1:00 pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mount Vernon.