Michael LeRoy Blanchard

Michael LeRoy Blanchard was born on November 25, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa to LeRoy and Grace Mary Blanchard. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1970 and attended Iowa State University. He joined the United States Air Force in June 1970, working, at first, as an aircraft sensors system repairman. He would later cross-train to become a biomedical equipment repairman, specializing in X-ray and CT scan machines, a career he loved. Mike was stationed at Lowry Air Force base outside Denver, Colorado, where he met and later married Christine Elizabeth Day, from New Jersey, also serving in the Air Force, also attending technical school at Lowry. Although from very different backgrounds, the two became fast friends, felt they had known each other all their lives, and always felt that they could not imagine life without one another. They were married on February 12, 1972. Mike and Christy spent fifty-one years, four months, and two days together before he left this earth to be with His Lord. Through the Air Force, Mike and Christy traveled the United States approximately every four years, as well as going overseas to Italy. Mike retired from the Air Force in December 1990 after twenty years of military service. After his retirement from the Air Force, Mike worked for Providence Everett General until he retired. The couple have three children: Laurie Kathleen, born in 1974 (Texas), Kara Theresa, born in 1977 (Illinois), and Michael LeRoy II, born in 1981 (Italy). Mike and Christy are blessed with four grandchildren: Conrad Roy, age 27 (raised by Roy & Elaine DeGroot), Schyler Christine, age 22, and Payton Rae, age 16 (daughters of Kory Harp and Kara Blanchard) and Elizabeth Adele, age 7, daughter of Alan and Laurie (Blanchard) Campbell. Following his Air Force retirement, Mike and his family moved from Spokane to Seattle. They lived in Washington State where Mike worked as a biomed, for 26 years. In June 2017, Mike and Christy, both now retired from their respective careers, moved to the lovely and historic town of St. Augustine, Florida, which they loved. Mike and Christy had many adventures and loved traveling. Mike's bout with cancer began in December and he fought it valiantly. He was surrounded by family in his last moments. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Burial with full military honors will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Michael LeRoy Blanchard

November 25, 1950 - June 14, 2023