Gerald William Blanchard

Gerald William “Jerry” Blanchard, age 75 of Williamston, MI formerly of Okemos passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022. He was born on March 7, 1947 in Jackson, MI the son of Gerald Mac and Dorothy Jane (Klumpp) Blanchard.

Education was always a big part of Jerry’s life. He graduated as the 1965 Class Valedictorian at Everett High School in Lansing. He earned the MSU Distinguished Scholar Award for his high academic achievements. Jerry received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from MSU in 1975. He later received a Juris Doctor Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he attended from 1980-83 and passed the Bar in 1983.

Jerry started his career in Risk Management with a Farm Supply Cooperative called Farm Bureau Services in December of 1978. It was on the job training as Risk manager since his previous experience was in the life and health insurance field. It was there that he gained experience in administering property and liability insurance coverages and their claims for this company and other farm supply cooperatives. He also administered the workers comp claims. In October of 1985 he joined the Lansing Board of Water and Light as a Risk Manager. His responsibilities included writing specifications for the property and liability insurance coverages and the workers compensation services agreements. He administered the property and liability insurance coverages and associated claims, and worked with their loss control representatives. He also asserted tort claims against others who have damaged BWL property. He first worked under the Treasurer/Controller until 1990. From that time forward, he reported to the Utility Staff Attorney, when his title changed to Risk Manager/Assistant Staff Attorney. Jerry retired from BWL in October of 2011 after 26 years of service.

At the Board of Water and Light, he served as secretary of its Safety Manual Update Coordination Committee from 1989-90, which coordinated the rewriting of the BWL’s safety manual. He also served on the Main Office Building Safety Committee from 1990 to 1993, the last year serving as its chair.

He was a representative on MIPRIMA and served as Trustee, Treasurer, Vice President and President (1993). He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Exchange Club of Lansing (a past President), and the Farm Bureau Center Toastmasters Club (a past President). He completed 2 of the 3 ARM parts. Jerry served as employer representative on the Data Collection Agency of the Michigan Insurance Bureau.

He worked extensively with a personal computer at BWL but he counted that as one of his hobbies. He was very interested in computers and could build a computer from the ground up. Jerry’s other interests included sports (running, golf, racquetball, and volleyball), traveling, reading and yard work (which was not his first choice). He was a MSU football fan, loved ballroom dancing, and playing with his grandkids.

Jerry valued the friends and colleagues he obtained over his years of work with Farm Bureau and the Board of Water and Light.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Dosenberry Blanchard; step-sons, Alan (Claire) Dosenberry and Ryan (Moriah) Dosenberry; brother, John (Krista) Blanchard; and sister, Deborah Blanchard; niece, Maya Blanchard. Jerry is also survived by his step-grandchildren, an aunt, many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Lansing Chapel.

For those desiring to make a memorial contribution in Jerry’s honor please consider the Lansing Exchange Club P.O. Box 22041, Lansing, MI 48909.

To leave a cherished memory or words of sympathy for Jerry’s family please visit www.greastlansing.com.