Dec. 10, 1944 – Jan. 11, 2016

FERRIDAY — Memorial services for Gerald Joseph Blanchard, 71, of Ferriday, who died, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at Riverland Medical Center, will be noon Saturday at Young’s Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeremy Howington officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Blanchard was born Dec. 10, 1944, in Plaquemine, La., the son of Ellis Ivan Blanchard and Lillie Seymour Blanchard.

He was a member of River City Bass Club, River City Bad Boyz and a member of the 318 Auto Club.

Gerald was an avid antique car enthusiast. He and Suzie attended a number of car shows. He loved camping, hunting and fishing.

Mr. Blanchard was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Milton Blanchard and wife, Margaret, Harry Blanchard and wife, Ethel, and J.C. Blanchard and wife, Naomi; one sister, Lillia Mae Rivet and husband, Eldred; and father-in-law, Charles Campbell.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Suzie Blanchard; three sons, Gerald J. Blanchard Jr. and wife, Kitti, and Chad S. Blanchard, all of Port Allen, La., and Garrett Blanchard of Ferriday; one brother, Tommy Blanchard and wife, Frances, of Plaquemine, La.; one sister, Dianne Guidry and husband, Alex, of Plaquemine; mother-in-law, Jimmye Campbell of Ferriday; three grandsons, Corey Blanchard, Colt Blanchard and Austin Morgan; two granddaughters, Courtney Blanchard and Alex Mooney; two great-grandchildren, Abbie Blanchard and Caden Blanchard; a number of nieces and nephews; an adopted son, James Schilling of Tylertown; and special friends, Bo and Sylvia Strahan, Fay Crews, Don and Carolyn Marshall.

He will also be missed by his beloved pet, Mattie Bella.

Online condolences may be sent to youngsfh.com.