David Blanford Jr.

David Blanford Jr. PORTSMOUTH - David Blanford Jr., 88, of Suffolk and formerly of Portsmouth, passed away Oct. 18, 2009, in Sentara Obici Hospital. A native of Norfolk, he was the son of the late David and Lillian Hogan Blanford. He retired in 1982 from the Portsmouth Public Schools as a physical education teacher at Harry Hunt Junior High School. He was a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church and was a 60-year member of the Elizabeth Masonic Lodge No. 34 AF&AM. He was a Royal Arch Mason and belonged to the Norfolk Scottish Rite Bodies and the Khedive Temple of the Shrine. He earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from East Carolina College. He was a U.S. Naval veteran of World War II. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Ames Blanford, recently of Suffolk and formerly of Portsmouth, and his daughter, Dianne B. Martin of Portsmouth. A graveside service will be conducted Thursday at 1 p.m. at Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Snellings Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, c/o Khedive Temple, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snellingsfuneralhome.com.