James R. Blanchard

James R. Blanchard, age 76, of Paola Kansas passed away April 17, 2018 Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018 at the Dengel & Son Mortuary Louisburg Chapel. Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial with military honors in the Somerset Cemetery, Somerset, KS James was born August 11, 1941 to John Alex Blanchard and Sarah Helen Howard in Somerset, Kansas. He was united in marriage to Mary L. Moser on December 30, 1963 at the Christian Church in Paola, Kansas. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1966. James worked on bridge construction for many years working for Wilkerson and Fogel Anderson Construction Companies. He also worked for Town Oil Company for many years and owned his own oil lease called Blanchard Oil. James belonged to Louisburg American Legion Post 250 and the Paola Eagles. He played karaoke in Miami and Linn Counties and was an avid hunter and fisherman. James was preceded in death by his sisters, Billie Bearman, Rosemary Morgan-Courtney, Jerry Carroll, and Joann Brinkley and brother, John H. Blanchard. He is survived by his wife, Mary Blanchard of the home; son, John R. Blanchard & wife, Brandi Wright of Baldwin City, KS; daughter, Sharon Kraft of Paola, KS; granddaughter, Jillian Blanchard of Baldwin City, KS; grandson, Michael Harper of Paola, KS and several nieces and nephews and many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice, Miami County Cancer Foundation or Olathe Cancer Care Center. To share your memories of James or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share A Memory Button.