Elbert J. "EJ" Blanchard, 81, passed away Monday January 9, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 13, in Biggers Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at Azleland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. EJ was born February 7, 1935 in Kent, Iowa to Lloyd and Valere Blanchard. He was an Azle resident for over 35 years and loved fishing, antiques, guns, and collectables. He was preceded in death by his parents, sons, Marty and Randy, and siblings, Judy, Frank, and Fred. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Wanda Blanchard; children, Susan Webb and husband, David and Dennis Blanchard and wife, Danetta; brothers, Roger and Ronnie Blanchard; grandchildren, Brandi Adams, Christopher Reed, Jeffery Reed, Krissy Webb, Danetta Zook and husband, Robert, and David Blanchard and wife, Geri; great-grandchildren, Kenny, Brittaney, Faith, Kallie, Allison, Skylar, and Ashlynn; great-great-grandchildren, Jace and Kinzlie; numerous nieces and nephews.