David Arlen Blanton, longtime minister of music, died March 21. He was 83. Blanton was born Nov. 4, 1934, to J.C. and Nora Blanton in Victoria. After he graduated from Patti Welder High School, he completed a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Texas. During his college years, he met and married Juanita Rayburn in 1956. After a few years working in the oil fields, he felt called to ministry. He earned a master’s degree in church music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served 33 years as minister of music at First Baptist Church in Beeville. He loved hunting, fishing, working on cars, golfing and telling stories. He tuned pianos, enjoyed close friends, ministered to people, influenced a generation of musicians, shared in mission work around the world and loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Juanita Blanton; a son, Kent, and his wife, Elaine; a daughter, Rhonda Selph, and husband, Chad; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kay Law; and brother, James Blanton.
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