James Freeman Blanchard

Mr. Blanchard was born on September 23, 1922 to Daniel and Henrietta Blanchard in the small town of Auburn, ME. The middle of five children. He met the love of his life, Mary Grace Staples at a local dance and the two married on October 5, 1944. They were blessed with three children who they named James, Susan, and Mildred.

In 1945, Mr. Blanchard answered the call to serve his country during World War 2. He attained the rank of Corporal in the United States Army. After being discharged, he returned to the family farm in Auburn. From there, he started his career as an air freight clerk for Eastern Airlines. This pursuit took the family South to Long Island, NY and then to Charlotte, NC. Retirement took Mr. Blanchard and his wife to Supply, NC in 2005.

But a long and satisfying life is not without sorrow. Mr. Blanchard lost his wife Mary in 2007 and his oldest daughter Susan Martin in 2010. He was proceeded in death by his brothers Ralph and Austin Blanchard, and sisters Julia Oakes and Margaret Berry. They are all now happily reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mr. Blanchard is survived by one son, James Blanchard and wife Sandra of Tampa, Florida, as well as by one daughter, Mildred Jones and husband Jerry of Supply, NC. Over the years, Mr. Blanchard was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Blanchard will be laid to rest next to his wife at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, Maine on August 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Life Center in Bolivia, NC.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)