James M. (Jim) Blanchet

On December 27, 2013 James M. (Jim) Blanchet of Hot Springs, Arkansas went to meet God. Jim was born in Lafayette, Louisiana on November 6, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Mayo and Ida Belle Beasley Blanchet. Jim is survived by his wife, Frances Powell Blanchet; daughters, Sharon Blanchet of San Diego and Claire Landrum, and son Kenneth, both of Houston; two step-daughters, Debra Page of Hot Springs and Lori and husband Ellis of Benton; grandchildren, Stacy and Anthony of San Diego, Britney and Chelsea of New Jersey, Justin, Bryan, and Chris of California and five great grand-children; Taylor, Christopher, McKenna, Jaxon and Emma. Many times he has said "I had three jobs in my life and I loved them all". He worked in Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans for the Southern Pacific Railroad; with Olin Corporation in Lake Charles, Little Rock, Manhattan and Houston. Jim retired in 1991 after 20 years as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing tor DSI, Inc. Houston, Texas. He was a long time college football referee in several conferences and was a high school referee in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. He was a member of LSU Alumni Association, Garvan Woodland Gardens, The Friends of Fordyce, a member and past President of Hot Springs Jazz Society, a member of the Horizon Band, a past board member of the Hot Springs Country Club, a member of Garland County Senior Golf Association and Senior Golf Association of Arkansas. Jim was a charter member of Hot Springs Baptist Church where he was active in the Celebration Orchestra and in the church mission work in Mexico, Central and South America. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II. Jim donated his body to the University of Arkansas Medical School. Jim loved his life to the fullest, was loved by many and his wonderful sense of humor will be missed by many. A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Hot Springs Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301. Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.hotspringsfh.com.