James Earl Blanchard

MOULTRIE, GA – Mr. James Earl Blanchard passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2020 at Legacy Village in Moultrie. A private family entombment will be held to celebrate Mr. Blanchard’s life. He was born in Double Run, Wilcox County, Georgia on November 5, 1925 to the late James Dan and Lula Mae Blanchard. Earl moved to Moultrie with his parents at the age of 7. He has lived in Moultrie since except for his World War II service in the US Navy at Whiting Field, Pensacola, Florida, and briefly managing a large garment plant in Tennessee. While in the Navy, Earl played on Command level baseball, softball and basketball teams. His love of sports endured with his playing on Rice Jewelry Company’s championship fast pitch softball team. He was very proud of his involvement with local youth as a coach in Little League Baseball, Midget League Football and Babe Ruth Baseball. He was also a Cub Scout Pack Master (Earl was an Eagle Scout himself) and a mentor to the Junior Achievement Program. He was formerly a member of the Lions Club attending its national convention in San Francisco, taught Sunday School at First United Methodist Church for seven years, and participated in the South Georgia Senior Golf association. His professional life was concentrated in the garment and custom sewing industry. He worked for Riverside Manufacturing Company for several years and was chosen to manage RIVCO, one of the company’s subsidiaries. After a five-year stint at RIVCO, Earl managed a 500-employee plant in Tennessee before returning to Moultrie to manage Draffin Manufacturing Company. He owned and managed his own garment plant in Camilla, Georgia for the last five years of his career. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his son, Chris Blanchard. Mr Blanchard is survived by his wife, Helen Vick Blanchard; daughter, Dr Amy Blanchard (Dr Dave Terris); son, Jim Blanchard (Debbie); grandson, Dr Mark Blanchard (Diane); daughter-in-law, Beth Blanchard; grandsons, Tyler Blanchard (Cree) and Colby Blanchard (Megan) and their sons, Brooks and Banks. The family gratefully acknowledges the many kindnesses of their special friend, Loriann Canfield, Loriann’s family, and The Legacy Villages team. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Moultrie United Methodist Church (409 First Street SE, Moultrie GA 31768) or the Moultrie-Colquitt County Humane Society (1412 First Street NE, Moultrie GA 31768). To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Earl Blanchard, please visit our flower store.