Al Blackbird passed away Saturday, July 28, 2012, after a four-year fight with cancer. He was 81. Throughout his life, Al was a competitor, whether it was the army, work, during a tennis match, a race, or in his battle with cancer. He never gave up. True to his spirit, however, and with quiet dignity, he knew when it was time to surrender, and passed peacefully in the presence of his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Barbara, children Maureen Chmelik, William Blackbird and wife Pam, Kathryn Blackbird and husband Craig Hurwitz, Andrew Blackbird, and Molly Roman and husband Steve, and grandson Shelton Blackbird. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Carl Chmelik, and his granddaughter Melissa Blackbird.

Al was an inspiration to all. He was awarded a Bronze-Star Medal of Honor from President Eisenhower for meritorious service during the Korean War, as discovered posthumously by his family. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Division, 9th Regimental Combat team, Medical Service Corps, where he also received a United Nations Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, a Combat Medical Badge, and a National Defense Service Medal.

Gregarious and endearing, Al made friends wherever he went. He had a contagious love of the outdoors and was completely in his element while running on the beach at Galveston, snorkeling in Belize, or sailing, swimming and hiking with his family around Lake Livingston, his home for the past 25 years.

Until his last days, Al was an avid tennis player. In previous years, he completed the Empire State Building stairwell run, hiked the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu in Peru, and achieved the ultimate physical challenge at the age of 61 by completing the Pike' Peak Ascent marathon in Colorado. His philosophy was ""you?ÇÖre only as old as your legs are,"" and he diligently exercised daily, doing hundreds of squats every few days, even in his last months.

Al was born in North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and raised in Waupun, Wisconsin. He received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin in 1953, and worked his way to owning several drug stores including Key Rexall Drug Store in Pasadena, TX.

A memorial service will be held at Cochran Funeral Home on Saturday August 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations of remembrance may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W Frank Ave, Lufkin, TX 75904, or to the American Cancer Society.