More detail on this person: Arthur Joseph
Blanch-ette, born March 13, 1940, in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, to Hugh and Vera Blanchette, the third
of three children, succumbed to cancer on February
3, 2014, at the age of 73 in his home on the
Skagit River, in Concrete, Washington.
Graduating from West Linn High School, West Linn,
OR, Art made the most of life as an avid
outdoorsman, serving as a Master Aviator in the
Army/National Guard and flying as a helicopter
pilot for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Art enjoyed a
long career of helicopter logging with Evergreen
Helicopters and Glacier Helicopters. In his early
20's, Art began a family of three children with
their mother, Carmen.
Art was an exceptional man invigorated by
adventure and the out-of-doors. When he couldn't
be out in nature, he found great pleasure square
dancing; where, later in life, Art found Brenda,
his ultimate true love and bride of just over five
years. Brenda rekindled his explorer soul and they
both found joy in making new adventures for the
two of them. Together they were something to
behold, cheek to cheek or whirling stylishly on
the dance floor. Never a truer love was there to
witness than Art & Brenda.
Always quick with the wit, Art found joy in all he
did and shared it with those he met and lightened
the hearts of those around him. Art was a family
man survived by his sister Jo Ann McGinley and her
family of Idaho; his children, son Robert (Jodi)
Blanchette of Alabama, daughter Debra (Mark)
Jolma and son Rich (Bridgette) Blanchette, both of
Oregon; stepson's Rod (Stefanie) Maxwell, Jason
(Patricia) Maxwell, stepdaughter Tracy Linson, all
of Washington; seventeen grandchildren and many
nieces, nephews and cousins.
Remembrances/donations in Art's name may be
offered to Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway
Dr., Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA. 98273. A
memorial service and reception will be held at
7:30 in the evening on the 16th of February at the
North Cascade Seventh-day Adventist Church, 800
Peacock Lane & Highway 20, Burlington,
Washington, followed by a graveside service with
Military Honors at 9:00 in the morning on the 17th
of February to take place at Tahoma National
Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th Street, Covington, WA
(near Kent).
Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing
Company on Feb. 11, 2014
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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