Jesse Blanchard was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 29, 1932, to Henry P. and Kitty A. Blanchard. He was the seventh of ten children. His father, a veteran of WWI, labored as a carpenter and his mother worked in retail sales while raising her ten children.

In 1950, Jesse moved to Oklahoma City to attend Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University), where he initially studied to fulfill a calling to serve as a pastor. To support himself and his new bride Sunny (McComas), he began working part time at an aircraft manufacturing facility. Eventually he left his pursuit of a college degree and worked as the produce department manager at Snyder's grocery store.

During the next several years, Jesse and Sunny welcomed the arrival of four children (Stan, Charlotte, Terrell and LaDonna). In April 1964, Jesse decided he was ready to be his own boss and made the decision to start a business -- Blanchard's Tree Service – which continues operation to this day almost 60 years later.

Jesse's life and career as a 'tree man' in some ways came to define his persona and led to a myriad of fond memories for his family and friends. Blanchard's Tree Service served as a first paid (summer) job for his children as well as numerous nephews, grandchildren, friends and other acquaintances. Jesse used these opportunities to instill in his children the importance of enjoying the rewards of hard work, integrity and doing the right thing. One of his favorite sayings was "Work smarter, not harder". He frequently quoted a poem (author unknown) which stated: "If a job is first begun, never leave it 'til it's done. Be it great or be it small, do it right or not at all."

Jesse married the love of his life at Jernigan Memorial Church of the Nazarene in 1952. For the next 72 years he was a faithful member, and worked in many capacities, including teaching Sunday School class and driving a church bus, and was always a willing volunteer whenever his assistance was needed. In the last few years as his health declined, he was robbed of his ability to always put names to faces. He would frequently not be able to recall the names of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and on occasion his very own children. But there was one name he NEVER forgot. The precious name of Jesus. "Jesus, Jesus, There's Just Something About That Name!

After suffering a stroke on March 13, Jesse died peacefully on March 16. He is survived by one brother, Bill, of Thousand Oaks, CA; his four children; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation at Mercer-Adams is Tuesday, 12:00-8:00pm with family present from 4:00-6:00pm.  Funeral services will be 10:00am, Wednesday, March 20 at Jernigan Memorial Nazarene Church, 3200 N. Hammond, Bethany, OK.