Charles Fuller Blanchard

After 97 years of wonderfully rich living, Charles Fuller Blanchard died with a contented heart on March 10, 2021. Charlie was born to Lawrence E and Anna Neal Fuller Blanchard in 1923 in Hamlet NC.

At the age of three, he moved to Raleigh which became his community for 94 years. Charlie attended Hayes Barton Elementary School and Broughton High School where he graduated in 1941. During those years, he was an active member of Edenton Street Church and a Boy Scout in Troop 10 where he earned his Eagle scout rank. In 1941, Charlie entered Duke University. There he was member of the first Naval ROTC unit and became a deputy corps commander. While at Duke he joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity and became President of Duke’s student body. In 1944, Charlie was commissioned as an ensign and at 20 years of age, served as a deck officer aboard a mine sweeper and two submarine chasers. Upon discharge, he entered Duke Law School. In 1950 he began his beloved and fulfilling 60-year law practice, culminating in his becoming Of Counsel at Blanchard, Miller, Lewis and Isley Law firm in 2011. In 1954, Charlie married his dear Bernard Berkeley Blanchard to whom he was happily married for 54 very happy and active years.

Charlie’s first Obituary was written 17 years ago – while he was in a coma for 3 weeks after suffering a stroke and heart attack. During that time, many of his friends took shifts reading to him for 8 hours a day. At that point, his family was advised by doctors that Charlie would probably never leave the hospital and if he did, he should go to a nursing home. Fortunately, they were dead wrong! After four months of hospitalization and rehab, Charlie shocked and delighted us all by going back to the practice of law, back to the tennis court – and most importantly back to his family, friends and community for a bonus 17 years - with a mind and spirit as strong as ever!

That first obituary included a long list of Charlies many affiliations, accomplishments, and awards Fortunately, that obit was misplaced for it is now clear that an exhaustive list of Charlies many achievements and passions would not only be extremely boring, but would also never accurately describe the incredibly kind, compassionate, smart, loving, curious competitive, and generous person that he was. So here are just few Charlie would be proudest of and affiliations he enjoyed most. He was the co-founder and President of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers which is now the NC Advocates for Justice. He was also the founder and president of NC Supreme Court Historical Society. He also served as President of the Wake County Bar Association, President of the International Society of Barristers and was proud to receive the Chief Justice Joseph Branch Professionalism Award. Outside of his legal work, Charlie was a founder and first President of the Wake County Association of Retarded Citizens, now known as the ARC of Wake County. (He was vitally interested in the work due to his wonderful daughter Leila who was born with multiple special needs.) He also served many decades in many roles at his beloved St. Michaels Episcopal church where he was a devoted member for 65 years. Charlie also enjoyed his 50-year membership in the Kiwanis Club, the Study Club (with 8lawyers and their wives who met monthly for 50 years to present papers on subjects of their choosing), and playing tennis with his regular Wednesday and Sunday foursome for 35 years –“ Gilly” Nicholson, Aldert Root and Jim Dorsett. He also loved relaxing with friends and family Coral Bay Condo at Atlantic Beach.

At the dedication of Campbell Law School’s Blanchard Legal Clinic named in honor of Charlie, a dear friend offered the following tribute. I know of no more beautiful words to describe Charlie, so with thanks to Dr. Assad Meymandi, I quote:

When I think of Charles Blanchard, I think of Benjamin Franklin, the wise and thoughtful patriot, the oldest of the framers of the Constitution, whose towering intellect was subdued by his humility; whose wisdom guided our nation and the Founding Fathers; whose brilliance was to enlighten and not to blind; whose sense of humanity and humor made him loved even by his political opponents; whose sense of balance and vision brought him charm and friendship; whose commitment to principles, to the truth, and to the love of the Lord, made him as immutable mountain Sinai, whose beneficence and generosity of possession, generosity of time, and generosity of the soul made him an oak with tens of thousands of branches giving shade and shelter to one and all.

When I think of Charles Blanchard, I think of Abraham of Ur to whom the Lord gave the mission, “Go, teach my people Faith…” The Lord’s mission for Charles Blanchard was “Go, teach my people the principles of civility, sound government, and devotion to the republic which the founding fathers created.”

When I think of Charles Blanchard, I think of St. Jerome and St. Augustine of Hippo, who came, who gave, and who served unselfishly, unreservedly, and openly, and whose devotion to truth, justice and the love of God transcended all other considerations.

And finally, when I think of Charles Blanchard, I think of a warm and caring FRIEND!

Indeed, Charlie was a friend to literally 1000’s of people during his years. Through the decades, one his most endearing traits was his way of making everyone feel so important and cared for. He always steered the conversation to them. He did so by asking them all about themselves, their lives, their interests – and then remembering their responses - for years. And the reason he asked – and remembered was because he truly cared.

Charlie was predeceased by his wonderful wife Bernard, his infant son Charlie, his daughter Lelia, and his brother Lawrence E. Blanchard, Jr. of Richmond.

Remaining to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 13 years Archie Blanchard, eight nieces and nephews and countless great nieces and nephews including his namesake and new lawyer, Charles F. Blanchard Jr of Richmond, VA, 7 Godsons, his stepson Brad Ashley and wife Marian, stepdaughter Carla Ashley, dear friend, companion and longtime caregiver, “Saint Eva” Harris, Philip Miller, Charlie’s law partner and “heart son” and cherished daughter, Anna Neal Blanchard along with legion of friends of all ages and walks of life.

A service to celebrate and honor Charlie's life will be held on Friday, March 19th at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in Raleigh, with family in attendance and others invited to join via livestream beginning at 2:00 pm at: https://fb.watch/4kEBPP7Vod/

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC; www.brownwynneraleigh.com