Claude Blanchard

Claude Blanchard, 89, died on June 22 at University Retirement Community in Davis, CA, after a prolonged illness.

Claude was born September 6, 1917, to Dozelia and Felecie Blanchard in Loreauville, LA. He joined the Marine Corps at the age of 21 and fought in WWII and the Korean War while serving with the 2nd Marine Division; he retired from the Marine Corps in 1960 after 20 years of service. He was last stationed in Camp Pendleton and there he continued working through Civil Service as an electronics technician until his retirement in the early 1980s. He and his wife Emily settled and raised their daughters in Fallbrook, living there for 52 years.

Claude was a lifelong learner. After taking night courses for many years, he earned an Associate Degree from Palomar College in the late 1970s. He also enjoyed taking writing courses and left behind a treasure trove of stories, many of them depicting his boyhood days in Louisiana.

Claude was an avid gardener; though he grew a variety of fruits and vegetables, he had a special affinity for growing roses. He also enjoyed watching and feeding the birds that visited his yard.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Emily, sisters Yola and Armide and brother Utcher. He is survived by sister Eunice Hebert; daughters Karen Ybarra, Mission Viejo, CA, Renee Blanchard, Orinda, CA, Cynthia Bevc, Davis, CA, and Myra Blanchard, Davis, CA; son Michael Regan, Phoenix, AZ; and grandchildren Aaron and Elise Ybarra, Ian and Emilyn Kowaleski and Gabriel Regan.

Visitation and funeral service were held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Fallbrook on July 3. A burial service followed at Eternal Hills Cemetery in Oceanside.

For those wishing to make donations in Claude’s memory, the family suggests the Audubon Society or their local hospice.