James “Gentleman Jim” C. Blanton, 94, of Coldwater, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Brookdale Nursing Home in Bowling Green, OH.
Private services will be held at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with interment to follow at Knauss Cemetery in Kinderhook Township.
James was born March 13, 1926 in Breathitt County, KY to George & Lydia (Tolson) Blanton. He served in the US Navy during WWII. James married Delta M. Sanders on November 28, 1955 in South Bend, IN. She preceded him in death on October 8, 2008.
Mr. Blanton was a truck driver for Standard Oil for many years, retiring in 1976. He had previously driven for various trucking companies and drove city transportation in South Bend, IN and Chicago, IL. One of his first jobs was working at the Studebaker factory, of which he was very proud.
Jim attended the Coldwater First Baptist Church and was a member of the Coldwater Eagles, Elks, American Legion and Moose Lodge. He enjoyed collecting and restoring classic cars, especially Studebakers. Jim enjoyed others and loved to socialize. He especially loved and took pride in his many grandchildren. He was most recently honored as the Grand Marshall for the Coldwater Christmas and Memorial Day parades.
Jim is survived by his children Carol Montgomery of N. Baltimore, OH, Charles (Sandra) Blanton of Coldwater, David Brockey of Coldwater, his siblings Victor Blanton of Union City, Eddie Blanton of KY, Paul Blanton of Texas, Arnold Jay Banks of KY, many grandchildren and many great and great, great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his children James Paul Blanton, Wesley Randall Blanton, Ellyn O’Keefe, Ermil Brockey, Wayne Eugene Brockey, his brothers Mitchell Banks, George Blanton, Harley Blanton, Francis Blanton, and sisters Willie Blanton Eva Burgett, Dora Mae Balcom and Noranne Giavanazo.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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