He was born Jan. 25, 1924, in Paintsville, Ky., to the late Manford and Shellie Jayne Blanton.

He was a boilermaker with Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 238, a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of Bridges Christian Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two wives, Betty Pruitt Blanton and Charlene Caines Blanton; a son, Al Rodney Blanton, and siblings Herb Ginger and Junior.

He is survived by his children, Rick Blanton and wife Debbie of Sorrento, Fla., Steve Blanton and wife Michelle of Ladson, S.C., Tom Hencye and wife Sue of Flatwoods, Greg Hencye and wife Karen of Ashland, Robin Quidor and husband John of Oak Hill, Ohio, and Paula Meier and husband David of Jerome, Ariz., a brother, Bill Blanton of Walton, Ky., three sisters, Hazel Boyd of Erlanger, Ky., Ethel Colvin of Staffordsville, Ky., and Ada Caudill of Flatwoods, Ky., grandchildren, Michelle Fiore, Monica Fiore Amerine, Catrina Hencye, Kelly Brooke Blanton, Travis Parker, Melissa Craycraft, Crissi Craycraft, Tommy Ray Hencye, Shawn Hencye and Missy Rooker; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland by the Rev. Monty Cooper. Burial will be in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods, Ky.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 18, 2010, at the funeral home.