Lawrence E Blanton Jr.

He was born July 22, 1918, in Jacksonville, FL, and was the son of the late Lawrence E. Blanton, Sr. and Marian Frazier Dickinson Blanton. Lawrence was educated at Statesville High School and Mitchell College in Business in 1935. He was a member of the Mensa organization. In 1946, he was co-founder of Blanton & Moore, Inc. He served two consecutive terms as Director of the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. He was director of Statesville Kiwanis Club for seven years and president in 1955, along with being active with the Keynoters. He was active with the Rhythm Dance Club for many years. He was a member of Mitchell College Board of Trustees and Endowment for Excellence. In 1944 to 1946, he was in the U.S. Army, 3rd Army Headquarters and Casualty Division with General Patton’s 3rd Army in the Battle of the Rhineland and of Central Europe. He was an active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church on the Administrative Board, Staff Parish Committee, Sunday School Superintendent, and an Assistant Scoutmaster which he helped start. He was a member of the Chancel Choir for 67 years, a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He had a great love for life and expressed it through golf, singing, playing bridge, reading and working in the yard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Leonard Blanton, whom he married on June 16, 1939; a sister, Marion Littlefield; and two brothers, William W. Blanton and Franklin D. Blanton.

He is survived by two daughters, Linda Blanton Moore (Keith) of Statesville and Pam Blanton Beasley (Alan) of Stony Point; three grandchildren, Heather Troxler of Statesville, Chris Beasley and Casey Beasley of Stony point; two sisters, Betty Jean Gross of Burlington and Martha Overcash of Mooresville; and a brother, Joseph E. Blanton of Gray, TN.

Funeral service celebrating Lawrence’s life will be held 4:00 PM Tuesday at Broad Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Shuman and the Rev. Jason Harvey officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors being accord by the Iredell County Veterans Council Burial Detail.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:30 PM Monday at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home which is serving the Blanton family, and at other times, the family will be at their respective homes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625; or to Broad Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, Music Fund, or Caring Fellowship Fund, 315 W. Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677; or Unity Christian Church, c/o Linda Mundy, 795 Old Charlotte Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.