Harry Eugene Blanchard, Jr

Harry Eugene Blanchard, Jr., age 82, of White Plains passed away Sunday, October 21, 2012. A native of Appling Georgia, Mr. Blanchard was the son of the late Harry Eugene Blanchard, Sr. and the late Odessa Prickette Blanchard. He was born September 9, 1930 and educated in the Columbia County school system. Harry joined the United States Air Force November 2, 1948 and served on Guam, Japan and in Korea during the Korean Conflict and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Harry and Ella Claire O''Rear were married on March 8, 1953 in White Plains, Georgia and recently celebrated their 59th anniversary He was preceded in death by a brother Gary F. Blanchard. Harry retired from the U. S. Geological Survey Water Resource Division, Doraville, Georgia after 34 years of government service.

Harry was elected a deacon in the White Plains Baptist Church on June 4, 1961 and served more than 51 years. He served as Chairman of Deacons for several years and co-taught the Adult Men''s Sunday School Class for many years. He loved the White Plains Baptist Church and its membership.

After retiring Harry took up wood working and made different wood crafts for Bible School children to assemble and paint and also wood animals for each child to have as a remembrance of Bible School. He also built hundreds of Blue Bird houses and besides placing them in the White Plains community, they were shared with the Senior Citizens Organizations and AARP Chapter in Greensboro, Georgia. Harry served on the White Plains City Council for 3 years and was mayor for 10 years and also retired as a volunteer fireman. Harry also enjoyed gardening and usually planted enough to share with those in White Plains that were unable to have a garden.

Survivors include his beloved wife of more than 59 years, Ella Claire O''Rear Blanchard and daughter, Nancy Blanchard of the residence; son, James Eugene Blanchard and wife Debbie of Ozark, AL; granddaughters, Jamie and husband Bert Ahlzadeh of Auburn, Alabama and Abby and husband Justin Fetsko of Dothan, Alabama; great grandchildren, Moe Forbes and Naomi Ahlzadeh, Emily Ann and Houston Fetsko; brother, Randall and wife Evelyn of McDonough, Georgia; sister-in-law, Nancy Blanchard of Appling, Georgia; and several nieces, nephews and many cousins and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at White Plains Baptist Church, 1020 Main Street East, White Plains, GA 30678 with Rev. Dr. Norman R. Waldrip and Rev. Roger Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are William Coleman, Dock Shelnutt, Jr., Charles Stewart, Richard Dunagan, Dock Shelnutt, III, Ellis Morgan and Donald Clements. Honorary pallbearers are White Plains Baptist Church Deacons: Ike Moore, David Price, Wilburn Stewart, Russell Stewart, John Eley, Grant Coleman, James Coleman, Loren Leach and members of the White Plains Volunteer Fire Department. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night at McCommons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that any memorials be made in memory of Harry E. Blanchard, Jr. to the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery Endowment or Maintenance Fund, P. O. Box 38, White Plains, GA 30678. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us online at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the guest register.

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