Wayne Warren Blanton, Jr.

Asheville - Wayne Warren Blanton Jr., 59, beloved son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and friend, died on Sunday, April 22, 2012, after a short battle with cancer. Mr. Blanton was born January 21, 1953 and lived his entire life in Asheville. He graduated from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham VA, Blanton's Business College and attended Mars Hill College. The love of Wayne's life, besides his family, was Blanton's Junior College in Asheville. It was one of the oldest privately owned business schools in North Carolina with three generations of leadership. As one of the owners, Wayne became Vice-President, and developed other endeavors, including Blanton's Tractor Trailer Training Centers. He cared about each student and brought a personal touch to quality education and job training. Wayne knew almost every student on a personal basis and enjoyed involvement in the community by sponsoring a basketball team, softball leagues, Bele Chere , NASCAR and the City of Asheville. Wayne enjoyed NASCAR and golf. He attended First Baptist Church of Asheville and Biltmore Baptist Church. Wayne is survived by his loving mother, Edna T. Blanton, sister, Kay Blanton Davis, daughter, Angella Blanton, son, Trip Blanton and wife, Malina, nephew, Joey Davis, niece, Joni Davis, and grandson, Isaac Blanton. Also surviving are his aunts, cousins and their families. A Celebration of Life will be held for Mr. Blanton at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 PM. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery for the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made "In Memory of Wayne Blanton" to Pet Therapy, c/o Mission Foundation, P.O. Box 5363, Asheville, N.C. 28813.