Christopher “Chris” Blanton, age 61, of Jakes Branch Road in Spruce Pine was reunited with his Lord on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Born on February 13th, 1961 in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Mary Sybil Hardin and the late Fred Blanton. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ in Newland, North Carolina.
Chris is survived by wife of forty-two years, Martha I. Jaynes Blanton of Newland, North Carolina. They have three children; Rachel Myers and husband Heinrich of Boise, Idaho; James Blanton and wife Gina of Leesburg, Georgia, and Sarah Kirchens and husband Daniel of Spruce Pine. He has seven grandchildren; Owen, Lily, Cedrick, Zoey, Liam, Charlie, and Sean.
Chris was a noble and generous spirit. He never failed to give to others selflessly. He was a strong character who never quit his duties, as he would always say, “Death before dishonor.” He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1980 to 1987 before being honorably discharged. He traveled the world and saw combat in Beirut, Lebanon.
Chris was a dedicated military enthusiast, and loved to talk about combat and firearms especially. He was passionate about the outdoors; always taking his family on long hikes and drives through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chris was a dedicated husband who loved his wife deeply and reminded her how much he loved her every chance he got.
Chris often sat at the dinner table with his children and grandchildren and encouraged them to ask questions about science, history and any subject they were interested in. His love of knowledge was an inspiration to them.
Family, friends, and anyone who knew him are welcomed to attend viewing and memorial services. Services will start in the Chapel of Webb Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8th with the funeral procession planned for approximately 12:30 p.m. to his final resting place at Elk Mountain Freewill Baptist Cemetery in Avery County.
The funeral service will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend go to https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php Username: WebbFH Password: 5KGX4R
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Chris Blanton’s name and then you may sign his guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Blanton and is honored to be serving the Blanton family.
Mr. Blanton’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.
