Jerry T. Blanchard, Sr.

Mr. Jerry T. Blanchard, Sr., 76, of Fuquay-Varina passed away Tuesday November 12, 2019 at his home. He was born in Harnett County to the late Charles and Mary Hortense Ennis Blanchard. Jerry was also preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Blanchard Wimple.

Trusted, beloved, and respected by all who knew him; he provided, protected, loved, and taught—how to fish, how to hunt, how to drive, how to change the oil. Tough, strong, hard-working, but with a heart of gold, he gave generously but was never used. It was never about him, it was always about family. Expert at telling stories, cooking pigs, and making homemade ice cream. He loved sports, and like him, his sports heroes were tough and worked hard—Dick Butkus, John Havlicek, Dale Earnhardt, and Lillington High-School Basketball Coach Hal Bradley, who taught him more than just basketball. If it had wheels, he could drive it; if you could plant it, he could grow it. 

He was born a farmer and was never more comfortable than when he was working the soil.  As a commercial farmer he sent countless loads of burlap bundles of gold leaf off to Wilson for years with each trip followed by lunch at Parker’s Barbecue.  When he transitioned into an office, he still farmed on nights and weekends.  When he could no longer make it to the garden, he continued to pull in harvests including tomatoes, squash, and other vegetables planted in pots near the house. 

Devoted husband to Kay, beloved daddy to Jerry, Jr. (Missy), Brantley (Carol), Kevin (Michael), and Lori (Chad); adored stepdad to Emily (Glen) and Chad (Michelle); cherished granddaddy to Shane, Allison, Brantley, Jr., Charles, Cole, Jesse, Kayla, and Avalyn. You were our rock and will be terribly missed.

The family will receive friends at O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home Saturday November 16, 2019 from 11:00 AM until 12:45 PM. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jimmy Elliott and Pastor Terry Beatty officiating. Burial will follow in Harnett Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 401 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Cary, NC 27513 or at https://www.lls.org.

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