Jay Blanton, age 63, born Dec. 5, 1955, in Port Angeles, died Jan. 5, 2019. He was the son of Spike and Rosalie Blanton.

Jay went to school in Montesano in his early years. As an adult, he attended two comprehensive schools and became an explosives specialist. Jay had a great deal of knowledge and experience in the field of drilling and blasting. He worked The Quartz Hill Access Road which was one of the most environmentally sensitive road jobs in Alaska, consistently producing successful shots while under stringently controlled and monitored blasting conditions. He was very versatile in blasting conventional and sequential timed shots. He also did right of way and quarry blasting. He was licensed in both Alaska and Washington and recommended as blasting superintendent from South Coast Inc. His work took him many places in Alaska – Green Lake, Freshwater Bay, Labachoure Bay, Coffman Cove, Petersburg, Ketchikan, Hydburg Highway, Salmon Bay, View Cove, Sitka, Thorne Bay and Whales Pass. Explosives he handled were Dupont, Atlas and Hercules. Various rock drills he operated were Gardner Denver, Ingersoll Rand and Joy. When he wasn’t blasting he was operating front end loaders, skidders, dump trucks to name a few.

He had a passion for photography and captured breath taking pictures of Alaska. Jay continued his learning and was in the process of patenting his own drill.

Jay leaves behind an extensive family who will cherish his memory and many friends. Jay loved the Lord and is now on his walk with Jesus.