DR. CHARLES WESLEY  BLANTON Charlie went to be with his Lord on January 20, 2008. He was born May 24, 1939 in Leonard, Texas. Preceded in death by first wife, Gailya Blanton, parents, J. O. and Ruby Blanton and sister Juadeen Dolph. Survived by his wife, Judith Bobbitt Blanton, son and daughter-in-law Dan Blanton and Maura Nolan, daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Michael Burks, grandchildren Ruby and Preston; sister SuLaine Dekkers and family; mother-in-law Uralee Farell, brother-in-law Dan Farell and family; along with many loving nephews, nieces, aunts, cousins, colleagues, and friends. Charlie graduated from Commerce High School in 1957 and from East Texas State University with a BS, MS and EdD. He lettered in football at both institutions and in college competed in two Tangerine Bowl games. The love of sports led him to be an excellent coach and servant in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Devoting 45 years of his professional life to learning and teaching, he served as a teacher, coach, and principal in several Dallas ISD schools, and a principal at Newman Smith HS in Carrollton ISD. At the university level Charlie was a professor of Educational Leadership at Texas Womans University, Dallas Baptist University, and Texas A&M-Commerce (He refused to call it that. To him it was still ETSU). His organization, Partners In Profound Knowledge, developed resources for the educator the same way W. Edwards Deming rebuilt Japan. Charlie was an old East Texas country boy who came to the big city to get people to see the real possibilities in an opportunity. He had a constant thirst for knowledge. Charlie was involved in numerous organizations including: Association of Secondary School Principals and Council of Professors of Educational Administration Leadership, both state wide and nationally. He was President of Association of Texas Educators, Dallas School Administrators Association and Executive Director Emeritus of Texas Council of Professions of Education Administration. He professed his faith in Jesus Christ at a young age and was a longtime member, deacon and teacher at First Baptist Church of Dallas. An avid collector of all things having to do with Texas and Southwest History, he had a love for the Texas Rangers and anything western. Charlies collections included paintings and first edition historical documents and books. This hobby led Charlie to be an active member and leader of the Texas Historical Foundation. Charlie was a big man with a big heart to match. He loved many things, but his main love was for people. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to his scores of eclectic friends. Charlie is missed terribly, but his memory is secure in the hearts of those who knew him, sat under his tutelage, or simply called him friend. Services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, January 24 at First Baptist Church in Dallas with burial at 2 p.m. in Sonora Cemetery in Fairlie, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 - 8 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest. Donations can be made to the Dallas chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.   Dignity Memorial Sparkman Hillcrest 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas (214) 363-5401

The Dallas Morning News - January 24, 2008
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

BLANTON
GAILYA FARILL - APR 12, 1939 - NOV 9, 2003
CHARLES WESLEY - MAY 24, 1939 - JAN 20, 2008
JUNE 23, 1961

Sonora Cemetery, Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas