University of Virginia Library

DEATH OF VISITOR THOMAS HUNTER BLANTON

The following resolution was adopted:

• Thomas Hunter Blanton, Visitor of the University of Virginia since 16 January 1959, died on 18 October 1965 on the eve of his seventieth birthday.
• Thomas Hunter Blanton was born in Caroline County, Virginia on 19 October 1895. He entered the University of Virginia in September 1916 and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1921. Returning to Caroline County, he practiced law and later was elected Commonwealth's Attorney of that county for the period 1924-1925. In 1943 he was elected to the Senate of Virginia and served in that capacity until his retirement from the Senate in January 1964. He became a member of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Banking, of which he subsequently became chairman, and was a member of the Senate's Finance Committee.
• Mr. Blanton's attitude toward his beloved University was expressed in a letter he wrote to the Secretary of the Board of Visitors in 1959, which reads in part as follows:
• "It is a high honor to serve on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, and I shall always be mindful of the trust. I have frequently said that if I have accomplished anything in life I am indebted to the University for it. I still have that regard for that institution."
• He was a tireless worker in the cause of his Alma Mater, serving as President both of the University of Virginia Alumni Association and of the Board of Trustees of the University's Alumni Fund. During his service on the Board of Visitors he became chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.
• The Visitors assembled on this 11th day of December 1965 wish to pay tribute to Mr. Blanton's contributions to the service of his Nation, his State, and his University. He was a wise counselor in our deliberations, never losing sight of the fact that the University must always keep its sights clearly on its goals of education and the advancement of knowledge and must never surrender to the momentary passions of the times. To Mr. Blanton's widow, Mrs. Blanche D. Broaddus Blanton, and to his two daughters, Mrs. Edward Stehl, III, and Mrs. Kenneth McCord, we extend our profound sympathy and express our conviction that they will see in his contributions to the cause of the Commonwealth the highest example of public service.
• The Secretary is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to the widow and children of Mr. Blanton, and to incorporate in the permanent minutes of our meetings this expression of our grief at his passing.