James Randolph “Randy” Blanchette, aged 76, died on June 21, 2025, after an accident at his camp on Lake Claiborne. Two services will be held on Monday, June 30th. Friends are welcomed to attend one or both services. The 11:00 graveside service will be at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Ave., Shreveport, LA. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Elm Grove Baptist Church, 8180 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City in the fellowship hall where memories will be shared while enjoying food and fellowship. Flowers may be sent to Elm Grove Baptist Church on Monday or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Elm Grove Baptist Church.
Randy was born in Charleston, SC on September 23, 1948. He had a great yearning to go straight into college but due to lack of finances he joined the United States Air Force and served 12 years as a Missile Electronic Equipment Technician and Missile Systems Maintenance Technician. He was a master mechanic and owned a motorcycle snowmobile shop in Maine. He loved to tell about his business adventures including his motorcycle races. He was transferred to Barksdale AFB and attended LSUS where he met the love of his life in a computer science class. Randy graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems. He had many talents and skills which made him an asset in all of his endeavors. He retired from Halliburton where he invented a sand meter and designed quality control vans. He also was an IT person and drilling mud lab manager. He was extremely analytical and enjoyed being a problem solver. Randy always enjoyed fishing, camping, and gardening.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents James Tinsley Blanchette and Charlene Ardelia Holladay, and brothers David Allan Blanchette and Ronald “Ronnie” Carl Blanchette. Randy is survived by his wife Deborah Elston Blanchette, sisters Judy Gayle McDaniel (Terry) and Sharon Renee Anderson (Mike), and many nieces and nephews.
Honoring Randy as pallbearers will be Doug Elston, Rocky Cash, Jim Murray, Ralph Todd, Nathan Cash, and Nick Cash.
Debbie would like to express special thanks to Mary, Gary, Lisa, Jay, Cindy and Doug for their assistance and strength following Randy’s accident.
Randy was a devoted husband to his wife, Debbie, for 44 wonderful years. He had a servant’s heart and found joy in helping others. He lived out his faith through his actions.