James Miller Blanton Jr.

James Miller Blanton, 96, passed onward December 29 at The Bluffs Care Center, where he had resided for the past nine years. Jim was born July 26, 1918, in Cumberland Courthouse, Virginia, to James Miller Blanton, Sr. and Bettie Alice Hobson Blanton. He grew up in Farmville, Virginia, and attended Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Following three years at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, he was ordained a Presbyterian minister. He held pastorates in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, 1942 to 1946, and First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, West Virginia, 1946 to 1948. After a year off for further study at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, he was called to Caruthersville, Missouri to the First Presbyterian Church there in 1949. It was in Caruthersville, that he met and married Jacqueline Coker in 1954. In late 1957, Jim received the call to come to Columbia, Missouri and become the founding pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church. The family moved to Columbia in early 1958, and enjoyed the exciting experience of a lively new church, until his retirement in 1984. Jim was a person of broad and varied interests which included astronomy, the Missouri Camera Club, and the Missouri Symphony Society. As a pastor, he had been deeply involved since the 1950’s in civil rights, and in taking a supportive stand for individuals and groups seeking equal rights. Throughout his life, he read and studied progressive Christian ideas and theology avidly, always searching for truth and willingly sharing ideas with friends. James is survived by his wife, Jackie of the home; daughters, Alice Francelia Castellano of New York and Sarah Hobson Blanton of Columbia; son, James Steven Blanton of Aurora, Colorado; three much loved grandchildren: Christina and Tyler Blanton of Aurora and MaryAlice Castellano of New York. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1600 West Rollins Road, on Saturday at 1:30 pm. It was Jim’s wish that in lieu of flowers, consider a gift to the Brotherhood Fund at Trinity to continue assistance and care for those in our community in need, regardless of race, creed, or orientation. The family wishes to thank all those wonderful friends who have given love and support throughout the years, the Reverend William Young, and to the incredibly skilled and caring staff and caregivers at The Bluffs, and to Hospice Compassus.