Cole Blancett

March 5, 1968 - March 23, 2020

Cole Blancett was the 7th generation Blancett to live in San Juan County. The pioneer founding family came west from Colorado in the early 1870's and squatted in Animas Valley in the Territory of New Mexico. There were five allied families that came together and established some the first homesteads in the area. The Blancetts, McCoys, McWilliams, Koontz and Rathjens made up the core of the settlers and married within the families for generations. Mose Blancett was an early sheriff appointed by Lew Wallace, Territorial Governor of New Mexico, and was also the first County Commissioner when the new county of San Juan was formed. Mose's brothers were either deputies or outlaws sometimes at the same time. Mose's son Marcellus was bringing cattle home on Crouch Mesa and was struck and killed by lightning, leaving a wife and three small children. Matilda Blancett, Marcellus's wife was a true pioneer woman she held together the farm on Southside road and built the Kello-Blancett ditch with a loan at 8%. She raised George born in Taos County, Lillie born in Rio Arriba County and M.Linn Blancett born in San Juan County all in the same cottonwood log cabin on the Animas River. George went on to be sheriff of San Juan County with M. Linn Blancett as his deputy. Again there were a group of allied families that dispensed their form of justice in the early 1900's. The last vigilante hanging in San Juan County was performed by five men in the dark of the night. But, that is a whole another story. Father, Linn R. Blancett was a county commissioner and farms and ranches in the Animas Valley today, although no longer on the family homestead. Cole descended from these rough, rowdy, and hardy men and women.

Cole left a beautiful legacy of children and sons and a daughter to carry on the Blancett name. Paige Linn, Rease Richard, and Cash Cauy Blancett. Tweeti and Linn Blancett carry Cole in their hearts as well as Cole's infant son Conner Roy Blancett, and the two brothers who predeceased Cole; Cauy Marcellus, and Clay J Brian Blancett.

Cole graduated from Aztec High School as a state wrestling champion and high school rodeoed where won second in high school finals in the bareback riding. He graduated NMMI on full academic and rodeo scholarship. Cole graduated from NMSU where he also rodeoed. He came home and worked on the farm, ranch and livestock auction, but loved the oilfield.

Cole traveled all over the United States and even Portugal, drilling for natural gas and was excellent at his job. He died on March 23rd in Joaquin Texas, where he was working, as company man for Indigo. The last place he worked he loved the crew and the problem solving involved in the most difficult drilling he had ever done. We miss hearing the funny stories he told about the men who were so important to him.

Our family is blessed with special friends and family that came forward and helped with cards, emails, letter, and phone calls during the Corona virus. We have delayed the services due the spike in cases here in San Juan County until we felt we can invite people safely. Cole is buried In Aztec cemetery where generations of Blancetts rest and next to brother Cauy and a best buddy Clint Mars. We will host lunch on May 30th, Sunday at 1:30 and the Step Back Inn in Aztec NM. RSVP Charliss Jones 505-402-1492 Martha Faver 505-320-1659 Pat West 505-516-7448

We would love a story of Cole we can share with the Children. Please send to PO Box 55, Aztec, NM 87410 or call 505-215-1200. If you would like to donate please send to the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, 6209 Hendrix Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

Our favorite saying is from Cole "Don't look at yesterday, look to tomorrow, that is where your future is".

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Farmington Daily Times from May 19 to May 23, 2021.