Thomas Maxwell Blanchard Jr., a current patriarch of the storied Augusta Blanchard family, died on April 22 at age 75.
According to friends and family, Blanchard, who battled cancer, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Friends remember Blanchard as a brilliant businessman and a kind-hearted philanthropist who shunned the spotlight and preferred to operate in the background as he helped transform Augusta.
A member of the Augusta National, Blanchard served as the past chairman of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce and sat on several boards including the Trustees of the Academy of Richmond County, First Tee and the CSRA Community Foundation, the latter of which has donated millions of dollars to local nonprofits over the past 20 years.
“He loved Augusta. He was proud of Augusta, and he always quietly showed his support for the people of Augusta,” Dave Barbee, a long-time friend, said.
Lifelong friend Jim Hull, vice chairman of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, has similar recollections about “Tommy.”
“He was a sincere, modest person. His deeds were seen and unseen. I don’t know of anyone who didn’t like him,” Hull said.
More importantly, Hull says that Blanchard was a committed family man and a dedicated father to son Thomas Maxwell Blanchard III and daughter Carey Blanchard Daniel.
Blanchard, who attended Richmond Academy, married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Poppell Blanchard, and the two were only separated with his death after 53 years of marriage.
“He was a true role model, someone to look up to. I feel very honored and privileged to call him my friend,” Hull said.
Blanchard graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1966 and the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce in 1970. After graduation, he joined his family business, Blanchard and Calhoun, and led the company as CEO until his death, according to his obituary.
Clay Boardman, a philanthropist himself, says Boardman was “one of the good guys.”
“He has a kind heart, was generous and the nicest man I know. All (of us) feel that way. This is a great loss for all of Augusta and especially for the Blanchard family,” Boardman said.
Former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver agrees.
“Tommy Blanchard was the consummate gentleman who exemplified what humble, servant leadership looks like. He was a role model in his kindness, his generosity of spirit along with his tenacity and positive outlook during his courageous battle with cancer,” Copenhaver said.
