George Flakey Blanton

George Flakey Blanton of Fleming Island, FL passed away Monday, February 28, 2011 at Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs, FL. He was born in Bessemer City, NC to Ernest Putnam Blanton and Georgia Burgin Blanton. Flakey grew up in Black Mountain, NC where he graduated from Owen High School. Flakey cherished his service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1961 where he served on embassy duty in London, England, Washington D.C., and also served in Port Lyautey, Morocco. In September of 1961 he married Carol Ann Parker. In January of 1967, he and his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he worked as a salesman and service manager for several tire companies until he retired. His favorite hobbies were bowling, golf and fishing. In the early eighties he was a volunteer for the TPC on the 17th hole. He was also a Jaguar football fan. He enjoyed staying in touch with family and friends on the CB radio and on the computer. Flakey was very sociable and friendly. He had an affable, jovial personality that his friends and family enjoyed. He loved sharing his Marine Corps adventures with everyone. He is survived by his wife of 49½ years, Carol Ann Parker Blanton, mother, Georgia B. Wilson, son Richard Ernest Blanton, of Fleming Island, FL; daughter Tracey Blanton Lakey and her husband, Skip of Neptune Beach, FL. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Danielle Blaker, Chelsea and Richard Blanton, Graham, Shelby, and Emma Lakey. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Putman Blanton. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Kindred Hospital and a special thanks to our cousin, George Bass. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in the Broadus Raines Chapel. The visitation will begin an hour prior to service time. Interment will be later that day at 2:30 pm at Jacksonville National Cemetery with Military Honors conferred. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.