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My father, Alan Blanchard, graduated to Heaves on Sunday, October 25, one month after his 84th birthday. Alan was a corporal in the U.S Marine Corp., became a glazier and later, in 1963, he joined the Denver Fire Department, where he was a fireman for 28 years. He was also the founder and co-owner of Sweetwater Construction Company in Evergreen, Colorado, and built custom homes with excellence in the mountains west of Denver.
He helped design and build the International Harvesters Institute Bible School in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. I drew up the plans on a napkin, transferred them to notebook paper and from that, my dad created the blueprints for our three story multipurpose building. He came down many times during the construction of the IHI Bible School. Dad also joined us on mission trips to the Huasteca region in the interior of Mexico, where we ministered amongst the Nahuatl indigenous people group.
Alan was a self-taught man in many areas, including construction and mechanics, always figuring out ways to build, fix and solve problems. He was active in the Conference Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and built the parsonage, as well as an addition onto the church.
He taught me so much growing up! He taught me a lot of common sense. He taught me determination and perseverance. He taught me to work hard. He taught me to be successful and to trust in God. He set an example in discipline, support and encouragement. He was friendly and so helpful to many people around him. I thank God for the influence that he had on my life! I thank God that we know that death is not the end for those who hope in Jesus Christ! Death is the door to the eternity and it won´t be long until we all rejoice together before our King!! I love you dad and always will!
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