Thurman "Duke" Blanchard

Thurman Blanchard 

Little Axe resident Thurman “Duke” Blanchard, 71, died Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Little Axe. 

Thurman was born February 6, 1951, in Little Axe, Oklahoma to Lewis and Cynthia (Creek) Blanchard. 

He was a lifetime resident of Little Axe, Oklahoma and was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. He graduated from Noble High School and started his career with Oklahoma Natural Gas, retiring in 2006. 

He married Fredith Butler on June 2, 1972, in Little Axe, Oklahoma. 

He started as a pipeline welder with Oklahoma Natural Gas in Norman, Oklahoma. Later in his career, he worked in supervision, overseeing job site crews in the Oklahoma City area. He was proud to live and be involved in the Shawnee Tribal Ceremonies. In the early years, he loved to play fastpitch softball, traveling many miles to play various tournaments. His hobbies included working with old antiques and raising Dexter cows. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports, especially when it involved his grandkids. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Sue Ann Blanchard; and a brother, Kenneth Blanchard. 

Survivors include his wife, Fredith Blanchard of Little Axe; son and daughter-in-law,  Eric and Jessica Blanchard of Norman; son, Craig Blanchard of Little Axe; five grandchildren, Caden Blanchard, Cache Blanchard, Mya Blanchard, Chael Blanchard, and Cecily Blanchard; brother, George Blanchard and Kathleen of Miami, Oklahoma; brother, Chester Blanchard and Kathy of Noble, Oklahoma; sister, Cleta Johnson and Bud of Little Axe, Oklahoma; sister, Redena Miller and Glen of Norman, Oklahoma; sister, Glendine Blanchard of Little Axe, Oklahoma; sister, Betty Isaacs and John of Noble, Oklahoma; brother, Kevin Blanchard and Arlene of Lexington, Oklahoma; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends. 

Tribal rites are being held Thursday, April 21, 2022, in the evening at the Blanchard Family Home in Little Axe, Oklahoma. Burial will be Friday, April 22, 2022, in the morning at the Blanchard Family Cemetery in Little Axe, Oklahoma with George Blanchard officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.