Jacob Alexander "Jake" Blanton

Jake was born September 17, 1921 in Brunswick, Georgia. His parents were Virginia Tison (Hilsman) Blanton and Jacob Alexander Blanton, Sr. Jake grew up on St. Simons Island, Georgia, graduating from Glynn Academy High School in Brunswick, Georgia.

He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology for two years, then volunteered for seven years in the US Army Air Force as a pilot. After leaving the service at the end of WWII, he resumed his studies at Georgia Tech, graduating in June 1951 with a Mechanical Engineering degree.

While at Georgia Tech he met his future wife Anne Davis Moore, and they were married after his graduation in June of 1951.

He was commercial pilot with Eastern Airlines prior to being employed by Lockheed Martin as a Mechanical Engineer. He retired in 1987 after 35 years of service.

As an avid sailor, he spent many happy days on Lake Allatoona as a member of the Atlanta Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife Anne Davis (Moore) Blanton, of Marietta, Georgia, his daughters, Rebecca Anne (Blanton) Irwin (son-in-law Randy Irwin), of St. Simons Island, Georgia, and Elizabeth Scarlett Blanton of Bellvue, Washington; his grandsons Edward Dorian Updegrove of Bellvue, Washington, Taylor Blanton Updegrove, of Bethesda, Maryland, and James Randolph Irwin, Jr. of St. Simons Island, Georgia; and granddaughter Audrey Anne-Scarlett (Irwin) Marrow (Jason Scott Marrow) of Cartersville, Georgia. He is also survived by 2 great-grandaughters, 1 niece, and 2 nephews.

Jake was preceded in death by his sister Scarlett Blanton Rickenbaker of Sandy Springs, Georgia. As well as his parents Jacob and Virginia Blanton of St. Simons Island, Georgia.

The family would like to give special thanks to caregivers James Bolden and Franchesca Ray for their wonderful, loving attention.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 13, at 2:00 pm at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, Georgia with Reverend Wright Culpepper officiating the service.

Edo Miller Funeral Home of Brunswick, Georgia is charged with handling the funeral arrangements.