Dwaine Blanchard

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Dwaine Douglas Blanchard
Dwaine was born on March 13, 1932, in Mosier, Oregon, to Donald Louis Blanchard and V'Ona Maude Evans. He passed away on May 12, 2025, in Kent, Washington.
When he was young, Dwaine's family moved frequently due to his father's work in construction and logging. V'Ona grew up in Mosier and her family lived there most of their lives. Eventually Dwaine moved to Mosier to live with his grandparents in order to go to school. It was there that Dwaine met the love of his life, Jo Simpson. They married on August 25, 1956, in Mosier, Oregon, and soon began their family.
After they were married, Dwaine, a recent Air Force veteran, attended airplane mechanic school in Eugene, Oregon. Once he finished, they moved to Kent, Washington, where Dwaine worked for Boeing on the 707 program. When that program ended, Dwaine and Jo moved back to Mosier where he worked with his father in construction.
Soon after they moved to Mosier, Dwaine started a new career as an apprentice electrician with his father-in-law in Portland, Oregon. When he finished his apprenticeship, he moved his family to Mosier where his career as a journeyman electrician included residential and industrial jobs such as construction work on the Dalles Dam and following that, for an electrical contractor, Solar Electric. He finished his career as an electrician on The Dalles Dam where he worked for the Corps of Engineers.
Jo and Dwaine had three children and then in 1976, Jo's sister passed away and four of her six children came to live with them. Jo and Dwaine opened their home to various family and friends whenever there was a need.
Dwaine loved his family selflessly and valued time spent with them above all. Dwaine enjoyed fishing, camping, long drives, and coffee with friends. He taught his kids and grandkids about car and home repair and about life in the country. He loved playing harmonica and sharing his music interests with family. His passions also included model trains, rock hunting, and NASCAR racing. Dwaine and Jo loved traveling to Alaska to visit Arny and family and throughout the United States and Canada.
He was a long-time member of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in The Dalles, Oregon, where he attended with his wife Jo. The church and his church family were a vital part of his life including church camps, holiday get togethers, and especially 4th of July parties.
Dwaine is survived by his children Timber Chinn (husband Allan), Del Blanchard (wife Irene), Arny Blanchard (wife Leila), and their "adopted" daughter, niece Brynnie Simpson (husband Greg). Dwaine has 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Blanchard. He is predeceased by his wife and parents.
Dwaine was a selfless, giving, God-loving man of integrity who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. There will be a celebration of life service for Dwaine at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church on June 14, 2025, at 2:00 for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, 1103 Sunflower Street W., The Dalles, Oregon 97058.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
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