A.L. Blanton Jr.

August 21, 1921 – May 26, 2013 Lee passed away peacefully in his sleep after nearly 92 trips around the sun. As a resident of The Inn at Freedom Plaza in Peoria, AZ, he is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elizabeth M. Blanton, and their five children; Richard, Michael, Kathleen, Robert, and Mary along with their families. Born the only child of Alonzo “Lon” and Mable Blanton, Lee entered the Army Air Corp in 1939 as an enlisted man working in aircraft maintenance. He served during WWII in the China-Burma-India Campaign and later received a field-commission to 2nd Lieutenant. He continued in the Air Force before retiring after 21 years of service at the rank of Major in 1960. Lee worked an additional 20 years, before his second retirement, as a Systems Analyst for the State of Arizona. As longtime residents of the Maryvale area in Phoenix, AZ, Lee and Elizabeth later moved to Sun City, AZ where they enjoyed making friends and taking life easy. Lee served on the HOA Board for the neighborhood and was a member of the Sun City Computer Club. A fan of Western authors Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey, Lee also enjoyed photography, woodworking, and traveling. As his health declined, he especially missed the ability to climb in his car and just drive. He will be sadly missed by all his friends and family. Thank you to the caring staff at The Inn along with a special “Thank you” to the nurses at Hospice of the Valley for their loving and compassionate care of Lee and his family. A Memorial Mass in Lee’s honor will be held Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joachim and St. Anne Parish, 11625 N. 111th Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351, before his private interment at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 N. Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ.