Obituary of John Dixon Blanton

John Dixon Blanton Sr. was born in Upland, California on March 5, 1924 to parents John and Nora Blanton. John attended Chaffey High School in Ontario, California graduating in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy Reserves in November 1942 and was discharged in December 1945 as a WWII veteran. He was one of five brothers who served in the U. S. military during WWII. He served as a Pharmacist Mate with the US Navy in the pacific during that time. After being discharged from the Navy, John spent his 32 year civilian career with the U.S. Postal Service retiring in 1980. John married Doris Steadham in Claremont, California in 1943 and together had their son, John Blanton Jr. John and Doris were married until her passing in 1989. In 2000 John moved to Milwaukie to live with his son John Jr. and his wife Jody where he remained until his passing. John was a member of Sunnyside Community Church and loved to garden, visit with friends and neighbors and walk with the family dog. John leaves behind and will be missed by his son John Blanton Jr.; daughter in law Jody Blanton; brother Virgil Blanton and his wife Dorothy; sister Audrey Irving and her husband Jim; sister in law Terry Blanton; grandson Darren Karr and his wife Leslie; grandson Mike Karr and his wife Kelly; grandson Matt Karr; great-granddaughter Kasondra Karr; great-grandson Donevan Karr; great-grandson Derek Karr; great-granddaughter Kamryn Karr and many loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Doris Blanton; sister Mattie Willmon; sister Eva Lorenz; and by his brothers: Lonnie Blanton, Chester Blanton, George Blanton, Alvin Blanton and Jess Blanton. There will be a memorial service at Sunnyside Community Church, 16444 SE Hwy 212, Damascus, OR 97089 on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunnyside Community Church.