Mr. James P. Blanton | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Mr. James P. Blanton, age 84, former President of Beaufort County Community College, died Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

    Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, October 13, 2012, at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, conducted by the Rev. Charles Michael Smith.

    The following will serve as active pallbearers: Keith Hackney, Joe Solomon, John Hawkins, Kevin Blanton, Luther Davis, and Ron Champion.

    Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy and Janice Page, Ray and Connie Hardee, Franklin and Valerie Buck, and Kenneth and Faye Snow.

    Mr. Blanton was born in Duplin County on June 22, 1928. He was the son of the late Johnny James Blanton and Fannie Wadsworth Blanton. Mr. Blanton served his country as a Medic in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He taught at Bath High School for two years and Washington High School for 20 years. After his High School teaching career, Mr. Blanton served as Dean and later President of Beaufort County Technical Institute (now Beaufort County Community College) from 1971 to 1990.

    Mr. Blanton was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was past president of the Men of the Church. He had served on the Board of Directors of Brown Library. Mr. Blanton was a former member of the Washington Kiwanis Club and the Washington Rotary Club where he served as President. He enjoyed his retirement at Hawkins Beach on the Pamlico River.

    In 1955, Mr. Blanton married the former Betty Hawkins, who survives.

    Survivors include his wife, Betty Hawkins Blanton of the home; his daughter, Carlotta Blanton Suggs and husband, Doug of Concord; his son, Tony Blanton and wife, Debbi of Charlotte; his four grandchildren, Caroline Suggs, Bryan Suggs, Hailey Blanton, Ansley Blanton; his brother, Elbert Blanton of Raleigh; and other extended family members, Tara Lambert, Cassie Lambert, Kendall Lambert and Nellie Rios.

    The family received friends from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Friday, October 12, 2012, at Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington and other times at the home, 139 River Place, Washington.

    Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Beaufort County Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1069, Washington, N.C. 27889.

    Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Blanton family.