Richard Eugene Blanding

Richard Eugene Blanding was born on September 1, 1933 in Silver Creek, New York to Ernest and Ruth Blanding.

He died at the age of 86 on December 1, 2019 after a two-month illness.

At age 20, he and his parents moved to Bradenton, where he met and married Vera Jo Neff, his wife of 66 years.

He worked at Tropicana, and deep-sea fishing, but spent most of his working years installing mobile homes and constructing aluminum additions. He worked at McDonald’s Mobile Homes before he and his wife started their own company, Artco Builders. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He and Jo also enjoyed spending the summer months in the mountains of North Carolina.

He is survived by Jo, his loving wife of 66 years, two daughters, Carolyn (Jimmy) Thompson and Arlene Keirns, as well as four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, December 21 at Elwood Park Baptist Church, 3516 45 St. E. Bradenton. There will be a fellowship meal at the church following the service.

Rev. Randall LaRoche will officiate.