Edward Lee “Big Ed” Blanton was born in Sylva, North Carolina on August 13, 1940, his parent’s 19th wedding anniversary. He went home to his Lord on May 7, 2015.
Big Ed was the youngest of Albert and Rachel Blanton’s 7 children. The family moved to the NW in 1947 bringing him to the Skagit Valley where he spent the rest of his life.
In 1958 Ed graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School. On March 4, 1961 Judy Noble made an honest man out of him and they began their family soon after. Together they raised their son and 3 daughters, as well as many foster children.
Ed was gifted with a natural talent for music; singing and playing guitar by the age of 6, and he could find his way around any instrument he thought to pick up. Music was his great joy and the way he served his God; playing in bluegrass, country and gospel bands over the years. Ed was at his happiest when he was playing music with his family and friends, whether it be on stage or out on the back porch.
Car racing was another love of Dad’s. “Tarheel Ed” began at the local tracks, putting together cars with his friends. It was a passion that he passed onto his son and grandkids.
Ed was very involved in the community and proud of his hometown. He briefly served on the Sedro-Woolley City Council and was often among those that place the Christmas tree in town square. Every day of his life was spent working hard, sometimes 16 hour days, to support his family or watch their games or concerts. Above all things he was an honorable man and a true friend, always the first one to lend a helping hand for someone in need. Ed raised his family to always do their best, to love with an open heart. Although our loss is great, Big Ed is in his eternal home and finally able to rest.
Ed is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy, also affectionately known as “Butch”; his 4 children and their spouses, Jeff and Teri Blanton, Marlie Blanton and Rich Post, Randie and Pete DeVries and Rachel Blanton; his grandchildren, PJ and his wife Sharayah DeVries, Landon Todd, Lucas Blanton, Kaalen Blanton, Mitch Todd, Tyler Post, Elizabeth DeVries, Cameron Post, Alison Blanton, and Dominick Armenta; his great-grandson, Jethro; sister, Louise Buchanan; brother, Earnest Blanton; sister-in-law, Arvella Blanton; special life-long friend, Doyle Guffie; special sister-in- law, Bonnie Kay Cook; brothers-in-law, Ted and Bud Noble; grandsons in his heart, Logan Noble and Wes Jones; his dog Lilly, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear true friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Blanton; sisters, Vergi Mae Hansen, Inez Henry and Polly Wyatt; father and mother-in-law Richard & Bunnie Noble; sister-in-law, Betty Blanton; brothers-in-law Henry Buchanan, Preston Henry, Dick Noble and Jerry Cook.
The family requests memorial donations be given to the Darrington Bluegrass Association.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lemley Chapel on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 1:00 PM. A fellowship will follow at the S-W Eagles. Throw on your hickory shirt and come and celebrate Big Ed. And the music plays on…
Judy & family, we just today heard about Ed from friends. I can’t tell you how sad we are for you all. We have talked about you two & the fun we had with you. We know he is at peace now & if we can do anything for you Judy please let us know. Love Pat & Doyle
Jeff and family – I am so sorry to hear of the loss of one of the sweetest men on earth. Life in Sedro-Woolley will never be the same. He will be greatly missed by many. I had the honor of working with him at Snelson’s and just recently ran into him at Food Pavilion and got “one last Big Ed hug”. May heaven be rockin’ in bluegrass music!
Judy and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a special person, who will be missed greatly.
Great Big Uncle Ed…that’s what Big Ed required Greg Snelson to call him after June and Greg were married! Through grins and chortles, that’s how you were addressed in our family!
Oh the songs we’ve sung and the sweet harmony blended! Such fond memories…Our Yakima Thanksgiving singuns’ at Polly’s and the practice sessions at Mother and Daddy’s. I think one of the last times we sang in church I choked up because I thought that might be the last time we’d sing together with Janice, Polly and Mother on this dear earth, fully expecting it would be others, certainly not you Big Ed, that would be amongst the first or second absent from the choir. But the Good Lord knows when to call His Children home and so I fondly and reverently wish to say… “We’ll see you on the other side!”
What a special man Ed was. He had the ability to make everyone feel as though they were his best friend. My memory of Ed will always be….on the bandstand, from time to time, he would lean over to me and say ” Hupper, I think I forgot the words!!” Then I’d get to coach him through the song! I know that Jesus will do the same. I hope your journey was a blessed one, Ed….we’ll never forget you.
We musicians will miss you being our (Simon) telling us when we were good or when we sucked! You will be missed more than you will know. May God be with you until we see you again.
I knew Ed all of my life, growing up as we did at Hamilton Baptist Church. I saw him often over the years, at coffee time at Rallye Auto or at family parties or at Mother’s when he sang for her. I’ve never known a better man. He was so full of God’s grace. He was always the same. Never pretentious, always caring about the other person, always interested in other’s lives. Ed was truly one of God’s own children and he lived his faith. I’m grateful for all the time that his family shared him with all of the rest of us. He was a great blessing to so many and will be greatly missed. You are all in our prayers.
Teri,
I am so sorry about your father-in-laws passing. I think you you often.
Big Hugs and much love
DiAnna
Dear Jeff,, Terry and family , So very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, a very kind , loving , and humerous gentlman ,who has raised a very kind , loving ,and humerous son. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family .May the good Lord’s grace and mercy help you through your grief .May you find some peace in knowing that someday you will be together again .Much love ~~ Les , Susie Willaims
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wish I could be there for you but know that you are never alone. May God give you comfort and peace knowing you can be together again. Love you and family.
Dear Judy, Jeff, Randi, Marlie and Rachel,
Our condolences to you all! We are still reeling from the news of Ed’s passing so quickly. Somehow, he seemed invincible and we (maybe selfishly) hoped he would get better and be with us a little longer. Well he did get better…and our prayers were answered…although not as we expected. We would never wish him any further suffering. We are thankful he is resting in Jesus now and free from all pain.
We grieve for not being able to sing with him again or give him a big hug or listen to him tell a story here on earth. But we plan to sing and laugh with him again when this life is over! We have so many wonderful memories of family gatherings and the Bluegrass years, and know that you have many more. The memories will be a comfort to you
We love you family and although we are many miles apart our hearts are with you now and will be with you through this sorrowful time. We’ll see you in July and until then we will keep you in our hearts and prayers.
With much love!
Paul and Bonieta
Sorry to hear of Ed’s Passing even though there were many miles between us we were still Cousin may the Family stay close to God and find peace in his arms.
We were so sad to hear of Edwards passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Seems that a good many of our family is now in heaven. We will always remember the last time he was in NC, and what a good time we shared. Love and prayers.
Ed was always a good friend, back in the day we both did our thing at radio stations in the Skagit Valley and enjoyed every time we went on. Truly a good man, will be missed by many!!
I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences. May the God of all comfort sustain you as you await the promises found at John 5:28,29 and Rev. 21:4 where God promises to do away with all the things that cause us suffering and pain including death here on the earth forever. It is my sincere hope that these thoughts comfort your family at this time.
Laura
Ed Blanton sang to mom Anderson many times, often in her home.He came when she asked for him, no matter how sick he was until she died at 100. Thank you Ed for being a great friend . everyone we have talked to say he was always the same, he was a good man. What a legacy he leaves.
I am so sorry to hear about Ed’s passing. He was a great guy and a good friend to Dick. He will be with his coffee buddies in heaven. I am sorry I can’t make the service because I will be out of town.
Ed was preceded in death by several of his long time singing partners, so I’ sure they are all having a good jam up there. Ed was a cousin, friend, fellow Bluegrasser, and fellow alumni of SWHS. We will all miss his pickin’ , singin’ and grinnin’, especially the grinnin’. It was the fun and laughter that he and Earnest Queen, and others, shared with the crowd that got me hooked on local Bluegrass. He will be missed by all that knew him. Best wishes to Judy, Jeff and all the family.
The world was a better place with Big Ed in it. His compassion and love of children were second to none. Youwill be sorely missed, Big Ed.
His ” Down home ways” always put every body at ease, he was simply Ed Blanton and that was always more than enough.His folksy humor and ready smile brightened many a day! His music always brought back to me those many wonderful days of my childhood at the Hamilton Baptist Church, with Mister Blanton leading the singing. we sang of hope for a life hearafter and a better day without pain, loss and suffering. I remember Ed telling me when he was gravely ill he was drawn away from this life and did not want to come back he felt at such peace. This time he left us but left behind wondrful memories and testimony and inspired each of us to look ahead to that glorius day of redemption. I will miss him forever but he is in a better place and I hope to see him again someday. God Bless his family and may the Good Lord hold you close and comfort you.
Big Ed was one of my favorite people, I got to know him well when I helped Jeff Blanton racing and we had a great time on and off the track one time I made him laugh so hard at the old timers Jeffrey swore he peed his pants. He also is responsible for getting me hired at snelson companies which has been a fantastic journey all over the country building pipelines, forever I will be in debt to him and I can’t forget Linda Allen for her and big Ed sponsored me into snelson comp. and last but not least he is responsible for my nickname cleatus, which I have not been able to hide from for 19 years now. Love and miss u big Ed will see you again someday in the very distant future
One of our fathers that raised us proper.
Jeff Blanton & Family, I read of your fathers passing and am truly sorry for your families loss your dad was a good man, I enjoyed the different conversations that I was able to have with him, wishing you and your family the best during this tough time and hopefully in time you all will heal. thoughts and prayers for you all.
Ed was always a fun guy to be around and a true friend that never forgot you. RIP for a wonderful man that will be missed by so many.
Another great loss!! Ed Blanton and Bud Morgan were names that ring as honest and true as Skagit Speedway itself!!
Bye Ed, thanks for all the memories!. Judy, I’m sorry for you loss, we have our memories thank you. Tell the family,thinking of them too. Tiny Brown.
Rest in peace dear friend. Having known you has made me a better person. Such fond memories from those years we were neighbors in Hamilton, when the kids were little and all your family was close by. We will see each other again.
My condolences to you Judy and your entire family. I love Ed and you both so much. I pray you find comfort knowing we will see Ed again in heaven. He’ll have a new body with no more pain. My heart and mind are filled with many great memories of time spent with the family at Uncle Albert’s house. Lots of singing, great food and so many laughs. Ed and dad (Paul Shuler) are double cousins who look like brothers. His sense of humor was the best and I never heard him raise his voice. Love you all and I will continue praying for you all.
Love your cousin,
Marcy Shuler
My Uncle Ed was a true hero to all who knew him. Heaven gained another Angel for the heavenly choir. Walk with Jesus down the streets of gold. Rest your feet by the river of life. Have a talk with the saints of old. Rest in paradise in your eternal home. I love you and I promise to see you again one day.
We are sorry for your loss Sending hugs and prayers
Edward Blanton gave the “Blanton” name a lot to rise up to. He will be missed terribly. However the “Blanton Family Choir” is raising the Clouds and having a glorious time. Rest in Peace Uncle Ed.