AIKEN, SC - Arthur Eli Blanchard III, age 75, of Aiken, SC, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 surrounded by the love of his friends and family. He rests peacefully now in the Lord's loving care after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Arthur is lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Margaret Catherine Blanchard; his two daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" Lynn Hewitt and Pamela Alicia Gearhart and her husband Steven Alan Gearhart; siblings, Yvette Blanchard and Fred Blanchard; four grandchildren, Samuel, Douglas, Benjamin, and Anthony and the rest of his family and friends. Arthur is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Eli Blanchard Jr. and Yvonne Millet Blanchard of Lafayette, LA. Arthur was born in New Orleans, LA on April 5, 1942. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Lafayette, LA in 1960 and continued his education by receiving a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Southwestern Louisiana. Initially employed by Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut as an engineer, he retired from Westinghouse after 34 years as a system engineer. At the age of 58, he and Margaret settled into early retirement in Aiken, SC. Arthur can best be remembered for his passion for his Catholic faith, family, golf, bowling, travel, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a dedicated and highly-involved member of St. Mary's Catholic Church community in Aiken, SC. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the old historic St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Park Ave., with the Very Rev. Father Gregory Wilson as celebrant. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a reception celebrating Arthur's life at noon at Houndslake Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Organizations at www.alz.org The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.