Russell Allen Blanchard, Jr. age 91, of Orangeburg, died on January 19, 2026. Mr. Blanchard was born in Augusta, Georgia. He was the son of the late Russell Allen Blanchard and Catherine Jones Blanchard.
He is survived by his wife, Linn Austelle Blanchard, his sons Russell Allen Blanchard, Ill, (Cynthia) of Orangeburg, SC; Leonard Bassford Blanchard (Lyn) of Orangeburg, South Carolina; and daughters, Ashlin Blanchard Potterfield (John) of Columbia, South Carolina; and Allison Blanchard Payne (Tucker) of Charleston, South Carolina; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his twin brother, Dr. Thomas Walter Blanchard and brother, J. Richard Blanchard.
He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and earned a Master’s degree from Columbia College. He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force.
He was member of the First Baptist Church of Orangeburg where he previously served on the Board of Trustees and taught Sunday School. In the community, he was a previous president of the Country Club of Orangeburg, President of the United Way, a local board member of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed to the initial Hillcrest Commission that oversaw the actual building and staffing of Hillcrest Golf Course,
He was articulate, outgoing and had a great sense of humor. He had a real interest in education and enjoyed teaching community courses at Orangeburg/Calhoun Technical College including Real Estate, Banking, Public Speaking and General Business classes.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Orangeburg, 1240 Russell Street, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115.
A private family service will be held at a later date.