Hal on Ladder 10 in 1979. Picture taken by Steve Gerbert.
Family Photo		From the 1973 yearbook

Lt. Harold “Hal” Blanton L10 retired, Father of Chief Donald Blanton F-6-C, Uncle of Chief Jake Blanton R-104-B, and Uncle of Al Kinard HQ, passed away    May 3, 2011.

BLANTON Harold Franklin Blanton Hal passed away on May 3, 2011 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. He was born on April 10, 1937 in Live Oak, FL to Harry & Ida Blanton. Hal was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked as a fireman in Jacksonville, retiring as a Lieutenant after 20 years of service. Following his service in the Fire Department, Hal went on to serve for 20 years in the State Fire Marshall's office. Hal was preceded in death by his parents; and by a brother, James Marvin Blanton. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Kinard Blanton; daughter & son-in-law, Brenda & Tim Hancock; son & daughter-in-law, Don & Amy Blanton; grandchildren, Jake Blanton, Jordyn Blanton & Haley Hancock; sister, Virginia Haltiwanger; brother, Harry Blanton, Jr. and numerous extended family & friends. Funeral Services were held at 2 pm on Saturday May 7, 2011 in the Hobson Auditorium of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, with Mr. Jack Cummings officiating. The family received friends for visitation from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2011 at George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd., S. A private interment was held on Monday, May 9, 2011 in the Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Hal's name to the Good Samaritan Fund of Mayo Clinic of Florida in care of Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

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