Dave Blanton
David (“Dave”) Warner Blanton, age 70, unexpectedly passed away on March 11, 2021 in his home in Davisville, Missouri. He was born on January 29, 1951 in St Louis, Missouri, to the late Patricia A. (Warner) and Homer C. Blanton, Jr.
Dave grew up. He graduated from Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri, in 1969. On April 4, 1969, he enthusiastically signed up with the United States Air Force, hoping to be stationed in Vietnam to protect his country. Surprised, he was stationed in England at Lakenheath base as an Aircraft Mechanic from 1969-1973. Since volunteering was not the norm at the time, we believe the Air Force sent him to England because they figured he was too crazy for battle. On January 9th, 1973, Sargent Blanton was discharged and came back to the states to reside in California and then Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona while living in Tucson. This is where he found that one of his favorite past times was looking for a good fight; fortunately, he had a few wingmen that always had his back whether or not they agreed with him when he poked the biggest guy in the bar. Once returning to St. Louis, he managed several automotive warehouses, including his own, Parts Plus, in Lemay. One evening in 1982, he was out enjoying his favorite libation, Miller High Life, when he met his future wife, Colleen C. (Spengemann). Regardless of the three children she had, they married on August 20, 1983, in St. Louis, and overnight Dave became a father to 3 children who pushed his patience to the limits. Miraculously, on September 13, 1994, he proudly adopted those 3 children to be his own.
Dave enjoyed life. He enjoyed fishing with his buddies while drinking beer, even though he didn’t eat fish, boating on a hot summer day while drinking beer, rebuilding & riding motorcycles since the age of 16 while drinking beer, watching football while drinking beer, driving his jag, and laughing with his friends and family. Thinking about it, without Dave’s consumption of Miller High Life, we would not be surprised if the Miller Brewing Co is forced to cut production of the Champagne of Beers. When Dave looked at you with those twinkling blue eyes and smiled, you knew he liked you. Those same eyes could turn grey blue, and when they did, you knew you were either in trouble or you better get out of his way. He was known for turning his workshop over to a pack of Cub Scouts for the pinewood derby, old rebuilt Harleys, Triumphs, and El Caminos, …and Miller. Not too many junior high students can say they stuffed a motorcycle helmet into their locker after arriving to school or learned how to race an El Camino rebuilt by their dad.
Unfortunately, with the pandemic his family did not get to see him as much because he was very cautious about being around others and following the CDC rules. The family found that ironic because when was Dave ever known to follow the rules?
Dave’s story will go one with his clan that he loved very much. He is survived by his wife, Colleen C. (Spengemann) Blanton; his three children: Kerry (Kyle) McEvoy, Kristin (Kirk) Scudder, and Jeremy (Ketrill) Blanton; his grandchildren: Kiera “Megan”, Erin “Maddie”, Gavin, Jake “JP”, Lillian “Lilly”, Evan, Joseph “Joey”, and Olivia; his sister, Deborah (Richard) Robinson; his brother, Jeffery “Jeff” Blanton; and his nephews, Christopher (Jamie) Robinson & Matthew (Stephanie) Robinson.
For those of you that knew David Blanton, he truly deserves a celebration of life where the Champagne of Beers will be flowing. We will honor him and his life in the near future when all can gather safely.