He was a native of New Iberia and had been a longtime resident of Sulphur before recently moving to Toledo Town. Donald was a U.S. Marine Vietnam veteran and was a member of American Legion Post 370. He retired from Murphy Oil Company as an electrician. He loved fishing, cooking, watching Sci-Fi movies, and spending time with his family. Donald will be remembered as a very giving and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Tana Blanchard of Many; his children, Donielle Blanchard of Walker and Matthew Blanchard of Corpus Christi, Texas; his step-children, Deanie Dautriel of Lake Charles, Rose Pekol and husband, Thomas of Lake Charles, Leon "Boo" Dautriel, Jr. and wife, Susan of Littleton, Colorado, and Paul Dautriel of Sulphur; his siblings, Michael Blanchard of New Iberia, Cindy Derouen of Parker, Colorado, and Linda Chestnut of Hartsville, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Adrian Thomas, Benjamin Jones Jr, Cameren Jones, William Blanchard, Leland Hinman III, Daniel Babcock, David Babcock, and Shanna Pekol; and a great-granddaughter, Aiden Grace Babcock. He is preceded in death by grandchildren, Michael Ryan Dautriel and Ashley Rose Dautriel.
A Celebration of Donald's Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 22, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of service Saturday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.