James Herbert Blanton, age 92, of Okolona died Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at his home. He was born on December 17, 1917 in Okolona, the son of the late Herbert Gray Blanton and Ola Gates Blanton.
Mr. Blanton spent his lifetime farming and ranching in Okolona and served for many years on the Board of Directors of the REA / South Central Electric Co-op. He also served as a Director of the Elk Horn Bank and on the Board of Directors of the Baptist Health Medical Center - Arkadelphia for over twenty years.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mattie Sue Frazier Blanton, his three sisters: Lois Blanton Moseley, Flora Jean Blanton Tarpley, Aline Blanton McMaster, a brother, Robert Gray Blanton; and his daughter in law, Brenda Diane Mathis Blanton.
Survivors include his son, James F. "Jimmy" Blanton and his wife, Debbie Blanton, three grandchildren: granddaughter Cynthia Blanton Andry and her husband, Jay; grandson James Scott Blanton and his wife, Amy; and grandson Christopher Murray Blanton and his wife, Kathleen and a step grandchild, Breanne Brooke Gibson. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Balma Blanton of Gurdon, numerous nieces and nephews and close friend Katie Holt.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church of Arkadelphia with Rev. Carroll Jackson officiating. Interment will be in Center Ridge Cemetery. Family hours are from 6 to 8 pm at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home on Friday, November 12, 2010.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
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