James “Jimmy” Blanchard, age 55, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at his residence of Odebolt, Iowa.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Faith Bible Church of Sac City, Iowa.
The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, are assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com
On August 1, 1968, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, James “Jimmy” Blanchard was welcomed into the world by his parents David Sr. and Mary Pat (Tomaino) Blanchard. Raised in Sioux City, Iowa, Jimmy graduated from Sioux City West with the class of 1988.
From a young age, it was apparent that Jimmy had a talent for understanding how things worked. This sparked his interest to further his education in mechanics. He acquired multiple certifications from Ford and obtained the status of Senior Master Ford Technician.
In March of 2007, while working as a technician at McCormick Motors of Ida Grove, Iowa, Jimmy met Dawn when she stopped into the shop having problems with her vehicle. Taken by her beauty, Jimmy quickly fixed her vehicle and the rest is history. The couple were united in marriage in Sac City, Iowa, honoring the day they met on March 21, 2008.
If it had a motor, Jimmy was THE guy to talk to! Whether it was winning best engine or best chrome in car shows, tinkering with gears, engines, or anything mechanical; scrapping and making something out of nothing, this was where Jimmy felt at home. Jimmy had a passion to learn how things worked as exemplified by his life and career paths. He went into business for himself when he started flipping houses – taking condemnable homes and turning them into works of art, fulfilling other people’s dreams. Starting with the home he shared with his wife, it was evident he had extraordinary abilities in making a house a home. Jimmy was truly a jack of all trades! Later in life, Jimmy and his wife, Dawn, shared a love for 3D printing. He was passionate about customizing and building printers for his wife to create anything they could dream of.
Since his early childhood, Jimmy had a sentimental appreciation for Volkswagens. Some of his earliest memories are those of helping his dad repair Volkswagens in their home garage. He had a soft-spot for animals, and a never-ending love for his family, especially his grandchildren. Jimmy had a knack for telling a story along with a one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He was dependable, and a rock-solid anchor for his family. Jimmy always lent a hand without expecting anything in return. He will be deeply missed by many, especially those who cherished him dearly.
Survivors left to carry on his memory are his devoted wife Dawn (Gehlsen) Blanchard; children: Melodie (Brad) Christie, Stephanie Beeber (Robert Woolard), Amanda (Nathaniel) Oak, Emily Gehlsen-Quail, and Christine Beckham; grandchildren: Ellie, Cole, James, Claire, and Aurora; parents David Sr. and Mary Pat (Tomaino) Blanchard; brothers Richard “Rich” Blanchard and Quentin Blanchard; nieces and nephews: Davielle, Cameron, Chance, Dawson, and Miles; extended family and friends.
Those who preceded Jimmy in death were his brother David Blanchard Jr.; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.