SUFFOLK — Gary L. Blanchard, 61, went to be with the Lord on May 15, 2012, surrounded by his family.

He was predeceased by his father, Wallace Blanchard; mother, Erma Vann Bell; brother, Wayne Blanchard; and his father-in-law, Karl Lambert Sr.

He was a machinist by trade. He retired from Lipton Tea and was employed at Dart Mechanical. He was the owner of Blanchard’s Welding and Repair Service. He loved to work and play golf and loved to tell stories.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Lambert Blanchard; daughter, Jennifer Blanchard; son, Stephen Blanchard; sisters, Diane Geouge (Jimmy), Kay Jones, Debbie Reddington; mother-in-law, Laura Ehney; brother-in-law, Karl Lambert (Donna); sisters-in-law, Diana Neal (Steve) and Helen Lambert.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012, at 2 p.m. in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, by Dr. John Burton III with burial in Holly Lawn Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 604 Constance Woods Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.