Larry Blansett

Larry Alan Blansett, 77, of Vilonia passed away December 17, 2018.  He was born in Water Valley, AR as the baby of five children to the late Lucian and Maude Blansett on June 10, 1941.  His parents and grandparents modeled for him how to work hard and do whatever it took to provide for his family.  His mother was a nurse, his father was a farmer, a vacuum cleaner salesman, and a World War I veteran.  Larry grew up in Pocahontas, Arkansas, where he played baseball and football for the Pocahontas Redskins. Larry attended classes at Washington College in St. Louis, Missouri where his interest developed for chemistry and biology and rooted his pharmaceutical background.  His first pharmaceutical sales job began in 1966 and he went on to establish a lifelong career in the pharmaceutical industry, including building two successful companies, one of which was Blansett Pharmacal in North Little Rock in 1982. He was past president of the Branded Pharmaceutical Association and lobbied in Washington, D.C. for small pharmaceutical companies.  He was known as a pioneer for legacy prescription drugs.  For many years, Blansett Pharmacal was the only national pharmaceutical company based in Arkansas with over 200 employees at one time.

Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was known throughout his life as an innovator, tireless worker, family man, lover of all sports, quail and pheasant hunter, fisherman, lover of old western movies, and a true friend.  He always enjoyed actively participating in his children’s extracurricular activities.

His Christian roots began in a small Church of Christ in Pocahontas. He was a member of the Church of Christ and he lived out his Christian beliefs through numerous Christian causes.  He served in many capacities in the church, including teacher, deacon, and the Spanish ministry.

Larry passed away on the 35th wedding anniversary to his wife,  Janet.  Besides Janet, other survivors include his four children:  Michella Ford (Mike), Ashlie Beaver (Jon), Matthew Walker (Mandy), and Joel Blansett (Lauren); eight grandchildren: Hanna Ravain (Jason), Anna Beaver, Braden Beaver, David Walker, Matthew Walker, Druse Walker, Luke Walker, and Hayes Blansett; great-grandson Jacob Ravain; numerous nieces and nephews; and a sister, Ruth Bowman.

He was preceded in death by siblings:  Lillian Burnside, Mary Basinger, and William Thomas Blansett.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Funeral will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the funeral home, followed by burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to give.marfan.org or Harding University SNDC NURSING CONVOCATION @ PO Box 12238 Searcy, AR 72149