D. C. "Doc" Deston Cooper Blanchard

D.C. "Doc" Deston Cooper Blanchard, age 91 of Rison, went to be with the Lord, Friday, October 11, 2013. He was born April 7, 1922 at Delight, Arkansas, youngest son of John Jessie Blanchard and Marietta Mae Cooper Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard was reared and educated in Delight and Murfreesboro, Arkansas areas. Doc wed the former Roberta Simpson of Delight, on December 14, 1941 at Murfreesboro, Arkansas, and they were married for seventy one years. Mr. Blanchard served with the Army/Air Force Aviation Engineers Division from 1942 to 1944. He attended Southern State A & M College at Magnolia, Arkansas receiving an Associate's Degree in 1949. Mr. Blanchard transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952 and a Master of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1965. He was an Agriculture Teacher at Danville and at Brinkley, Arkansas. Mr. Blanchard worked for the Veteran Administration teaching G. I.'s, returning from the war, how to farm for the first time at De Valls Bluff and Brinkley. "Doc", a name that was given to him by his associates, joined the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service on July 1, 1954. He was an Assistant County Agent for Agriculture in Desha County, at McGehee, Arkansas. In 1955, he became a Farm Management Specialist in Phillips County, at Helena, Arkansas. In 1962 he was promoted to the position of County Staff Chairman for Cleveland County, at Rison, Arkansas. Then, in 1972, he became County Staff Chairman for Newton County, at Jasper, Arkansas. He retired in 1987 with thirty three years of service to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. While "Doc" was a Farm Management Specialist with the Agriculture Extension Service in Phillips County, at Helena, he helped cotton farmers grow their first soybeans. Mr. Blanchard did a story on weed control that made it in to the Memphis Commercial Appeal Newspaper. He helped a lot of farmers in Phillips County try chemical weed control for the first time. In 1972, Mr. Blanchard's work with the University of Arkansas Agriculture Extension Service placed him in the national spotlight by receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the National County Agents Association in Atlanta, Georgia. This award was given to those individuals who had demonstrated achievement in some phase of Extension educational work. Mr. Blanchard received this award based on his proven achievements in the area of Rural Community Resource Development for Cleveland County, at Rison, Arkansas. In addition, he had served on numerous committees for the County Agents Association both at the state and national levels. During his service for Newton County, at Jasper, Arkansas; the county was interested in and supported the Extension Service Educational Program that was developed in cooperation with the people along the lines which they felt would be most helpful in increasing incomes and improving levels of living. Doc helped organize the Scenic Highway 7 Organization to boost tourism in North Arkansas. Highway 7 was then added to the national list of one of the most scenic highways in the United States. He helped develop a rural water system that serviced a large part of the county and organized several hugh multi-county get-togethers for the 4-H Programs. "Doc" and his wife, Roberta, built and sold several homes in the Jasper, area and retired back to Rison in 1989. For over four years, they would drive their Motor Home to Florida and Texas for the winters. They enjoyed traveling the United States and meeting people at the different campgrounds that became lifelong friends. They drove to California, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona several times, and many other states. Mr. Blanchard was a life-long member of Rison United Methodist Church, on the committee that got the current church built, and served on numerous church committees. He was very active with various civic activities. Member of the Lion's Club at McGehee, Kiwanis Club at Helena, and served two years as President of the Lion's Club at Rison. Mr. Blanchard was Vice President and member of the Cleveland County Wildlife Association. Member of the Crown Club with Pine Bluff National Bank, Cotton Pickers Travelers Club, Masonic Lodge, several other committees and organizations. He most enjoyed socializing with people, going to the Rison Senior Citizen Center and being a lucky winner at Bingo. Mr. Blanchard is survived by his three children and their spouses, Barbara Gray and Jim, John Blanchard and Billie, all of Rison and Connie Blanchard Simpson of Norfork, Arkansas; one sister, Mary Meena and husband Nick of Louisville, Kentucky; two sisters-in-law , Dessa Fenter and husband J.C. of Livingston, Texas, Jo Reta Germillion of Houston, Texas; two brothers-in-law and their spouses, Gene Simpson and Mary of Houston, Texas, Elvin Simpson and Linda of Livingston, Texas; three grandchildren and their spouses, Jamie Gray, Michael Gray and Deb, all of Greenwood, Arkansas and Michelle Phillips and Brian of Rison; five great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews and lots of friends. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 14, 2013 at Rison United Methodist Church with Reverend Don Johnson officiating. Visitation is 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Buie Funeral Home. Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2013 in Delight Cemetery in Delight, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Jim Medley, Jerry Spakes, Jim Ed Attwood, Bobby Tucker, Joe Rauls, and Rufus T. Buie. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Tanner, Jay England, Trigger James, Paul Scarbrough, Jack England, Mark Attwood and John Brewster. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.