Roy Exum
There was a big memorial service held Saturday afternoon just outside of Denver. The crowd gathered to remember Michael Blanchard, whose friends always called him “Flathead” because he had a deep-rooted affinity for old Fords, those with flathead engines, but he was also quick to jump on a motorcycle, as some antique Harleys are called.
Actually “Flathead” died about a year ago but what made Saturday’s gathering a standing-room-only affair was the funeral notice that appeared in last Thursday’s editions of the Denver Post. By the very next day the obituary had gone “viral” on the Internet and has now been adored by so many you can even read it in Chinese.
Before you do, please note “Flathead” himself wrote the rough draft himself and his son, Mike, merely freshened it up before submitting it to the Denver newspaper. You also need to know another son mentioned, “Chopper,” was actually his beloved cat. Here we go:
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Blanchard, Michael "Flathead"
1944 ~ 2012
A Celebration of the life of Michael "Flathead" Blanchard will be held on April 14th, 3 p.m. at 8160 Rosemary St., Commerce City.
Weary of reading obituaries noting someone's courageous battle with death, Mike wanted it known that he died as a result of being stubborn, refusing to follow doctors' orders, and raising hell for more than six decades.
He enjoyed booze, guns, cars and younger women until the day he died.
Mike was born July 1944 in Colorado to Clyde and Ethel Blanchard. A community activist, he is noted for saving the Dr. Justina Ford house from demolition and defending those who could not defend themselves. He was a Republican delegate, life member of the NRA, founder and President of the Dead Cats MC (motorcycle club). He loved music.
Mike was preceded in death by Clyde and Ethel Blanchard, survived by his beloved sons, Mike and Chopper, former wife Jane Transue, brother Stephen Blanchard (Susan), Uncle Don and Aunt Cynthia Blanchard (his favorite); Uncle Dill and Aunt Dot, cousins and nephews, Baba Yaga can kiss his butt.
So many of his childhood friends that weren't killed in Vietnam went on to become criminals, prostitutes and/or Democrats.
He asks that you stop by and re-tell the stories he can no longer tell. As the Celebration will contain Adult material we respectfully ask that no children under 18 attend.
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Now you have to admit the guy had style and today there are some who claim it may be the best obituary ever written. Dr. Justina Ford, for example, was the first African-American physician in Denver and, although she was banned from practicing by the Colorado Medical Association, it is estimated she delivered 7,000 babies while enduring the indignities of discrimination.
No published account of the actual memorial tribute appeared in Denver newspapers on Sunday but his brother Steve told one reporter before the memorial, "He lived every minute to its fullest, and then some."
Rest in peace, “Flathead” Blanchard. You went out with a roar that was heard darn near around the world.
royexum@aol.com