Paul Milton Blatchford

Paul Milton Blatchford, 86, of Ponca passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. 

Public visitation with the family present will be held at the Ponca State Park Resource Center Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 3:00-7:00 p.m., and a prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m. A private service will be held Wednesday, January 27. Burial will be at the Newcastle City Cemetery in Newcastle, NE.  Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be given to the Ponca Fire and Rescue Department, KGRD Radio c/o Todd Gunnarson, or John and Laura Classen at Forest Springs Bible Camp. 

Paul was born May 1, 1934 in Maskell, NE, the son of Arthur and Mae (Maskell) Blatchford.  He graduated from Maskell High School in 1951. Baseball was a part of Paul’s life from early on. In 1948 he played with the Maskell town team and walked to Newcastle to play in the Legion Ball league there. Paul went on to play for various semi-professional teams and professional baseball teams tied to the New York Giants and the Yankees. Paul’s brother Bill remembers watching Paul play in New York City’s Yankee stadium.

On June 19, 1955, Paul married Marilyn Dickey, the love of his life. Just after their honeymoon, the Estherville Red Sox asked Paul to join their baseball team, so the newlyweds moved from Laurel, NE to Estherville, IA. Between his summers playing baseball, Paul worked as a barber.

Eventually Paul and Marilyn settled in Ponca, NE, where the couple raised their four children. Paul served as the Police Chief in Ponca for over 40 years. He also continued to work as a barber for over 25 years, and he worked for the Ponca State Park. Paul was a member of the Better Ponca Foundation, Ponca City Council, Ponca Fire and Rescue Department, and the Ponca School Board. 

In his free time, Paul stayed busy outside, often visiting Ponca State Park to hunt, bow fish, kayak, sled, golf and ride his bike along the river. When not at the park, he was gardening, attending a sale, rearranging his garage, fixing something around the house, or restoring his Ford Model A car. Paul loved spending time with his family, and he instilled his sense of adventure in all his grandkids.

Paul maintained a strong Christian faith throughout his life and went to meet his Savior on January 21, 2021. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, and their children: Bruce and Rhonda Blatchford, Brian and Sandy Blatchford, Sheryl and Larry Emanuel, Karen and Clark Davidson. Paul had 13 grandkids and their spouses: Chris (Jamie) Blatchford, Justin (Paige) Blatchford, Kylee Blatchford, Keisha Blatchford (fiancé Mitch Endorf), Kory (Ashley) Blatchford, Kolby Blatchford, Ellen (Colby) Argo, Nicole Emanuel, LaRee (Jacob) Pennisi, Jessilyn (David) Johannsen, Joshua (Makayla) Davidson, Lauren (Spencer) Groeneweg, and Caleb Davidson; and great-grandchildren: Brynn, Elsie, Knox, Mila, Ayla, Ainsley, Dane, Haden, Adrienne, and Charlie Ann. Paul is also survived by his brothers:  Roger Blatchford and William “Bill” (Jeannie) Blatchford; sisters-in-law:  Mardelle Corrigan, Beverly Conrad, Carol Thomas, and Deanna Gunnarson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, two sisters, three brothers, five brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.