Olen Blackmon

Augusta, GA –Olen Burl Blackmon passed from this life to his heavenly home on March 1 2022.

Olen was born the oldest son of 15 children. He was predeceased by his parents Ezra Sylvester & Eva Lee Blackmon siblings; Fred, Earl, Hollis, Aaron, BJ, Ruth, Dorothy, Mary, Lucille & Dewey. Survived by daughter Anita Lee Blackmon; Siblings: Curtis (Sharon), Arnold (Janet), Philip (Lori), Jean , Larry (Judy) Phil Demeare (Dee), Philip (Brittany) numerous nieces and nephews

As a teenager he worked as Ranch Hand and worked in a copper mine before enlisting in U. S. Army at 17.

Olen served as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer retiring after 22 years of service that included combat service in Korea and Vietnam. As an Infantryman, Military Policeman and Linguist he was assigned to Special Operations Units engaged in complex missions resulting in his being nominated for a Silver Star as a Master Sergeant. Exposed to enemy automatic weapons fire; Olen, shot in his helmet and chinstrap, returned fire with a grenade launcher while removing a wounded Soldier from the line of fire without regard for his personal safety.
His personal awards include the Bronze Star for Valor with 2 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, 6 awards of the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal with 1 bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 bronze stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 2nd Class, Japan Occupation Medal, United Nations Medal (Korea) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Once retired from active military service Olen was employed as a Supervisor for the Veteran’s Administration in Augusta, GA. On the night of 27 January 1974, Olen repeatedly entered a smoke-filled ward on his hands and knees to assist in unlocking patients’ doors and in helped evacuate the ward. His efforts resulted in no patient or staff member being seriously injured.

As a member of Trinity on the Hill, Olen went on numerous mission trips as both translator and security specialist. He was an active bird watcher, and always greeted others with the good news of Jesus Christ. He will be missed beyond measure.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:30 A.M.

The family will receive friends on Friday at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church at 10:00 A.M. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com