Dr. Fisher Blanton, 58, minister of First United Methodist Church for the past three years at Ponca City, died Friday, May 29th, 1981 in an Oklahoma City hospital. Funeral services were Tuesday, June 2nd, 1981 in the First United Methodist Church, Ponca City, Oklahoma, with burial in the Resurrection Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Arrangements were by E. M. Trout and Sons Funeral home of Ponca City. Blanton was born August 12th, 1922, in Alto, Texas and received his education at Lon Morris Junior College, Jacksonville, Texas and Southern Methodist University, Dallas, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. He also earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Perkins Seminary and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Oklahoma City University in 1964. The past 34 years, he has served churches in Oklahoma and in New Mexico, including two appointments as district superintendent. He served Albuquerque, New Mexico district from 1965 to 1967 and the Enid District from 1974 to 1978. He pastorates include Blair, Mooreland, Watonga, Glenwood United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Muskogee; Wesley United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City and First United Methodist Church, Ponca City. Blanton and Martha Ellen Bell were married at Dallas, Texas in 1946. Survivors include his wife, Martha; three daughters, Cindy Blanton of Waco, Texas; Suzanne Jenkinson of Shreveport, Louisiana; and Judy Held of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, and three sisters, Norma Roberts of Baytown, Texas; Beth Jarratt of Port Arthur, Texas; and Francis Love of Houston, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Fisher Blanton Memorial Fund, P.O. 348, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74601. As printed in the "WATONGA REPUBLICAN", Thursday, June 4th, 1981, Watonga, Blaine County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. - 73772.