James (Jim) Dana Blanchard

Jim died peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, surrounded by his family.

At his request, he was cremated, and there will be no formal service. There will be a visitation on Thursday, October 1, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.

Jim was the oldest of three children born to James Earl and Helen Vick Blanchard in Moultrie, Georgia.

He graduated from Moultrie Senior High School in 1965, where he excelled in academics and sports. In 1964, Jim was selected to participate in the first Governor’s Honors Program of Georgia. He was also awarded the Emory University Stripes Honor Scholarship.

After attending Emory University, Jim served seven years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He was stationed aboard the USS Forrestal, an aircraft carrier, while it was deployed in the Mediterranean and served as a member of the naval intelligence group.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim attended Valdosta State College (now Valdosta State University) and graduated magna cum laude with an accounting degree.

Jim began his accounting career with Draffin & Tucker CPAs in the Albany office in December 1976. He spent his entire career with the firm, retiring in 1999 as a CPA and partner, specializing primarily in the firm’s healthcare accounting practice.

Jim enjoyed duck and deer hunting, golfing, and fishing. An avid fisherman, he also fished on the professional bass fishing tour for several years.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Chris.

Jim is survived by his wife of 46 years, Debbie Greene Blanchard; son, Dr. Mark Blanchard; sister, Dr. Amy Blanchard (Dr. Dave Terris); sister-in-law, Emily Greene; and sister-in-law, Beth Blanchard, and her family – son, Colby (Megan) and their sons, Brooks and Banks, and son, Tyler (Cree) and their daughter, Emily Grace.

Those wishing to honor Jim’s memory may make a donation to The Anchorage of Albany (www.anchorageofalbany.org) or Tunnels to Towers (www.T2T.org).

The family is deeply grateful for the compassion, care, and professional support provided by the teams at Piedmont – Atlanta (Mason Transplant Center), Piedmont – Columbus (Drs. Kantamani & Fortune with the John B. Amos Cancer Center), Dr Stephanie Williams (AIM), Phoebe Emergency Center, and Phoebe CCU.