Kevin Arthur Blanchard, 64

Kevin Arthur Blanchard passed peacefully and surrounded by family on December 27, 2022. Kevin was born February 2, 1958 at Sturgis Memorial Hospital and was the youngest of six children of Phil and Elsie Blanchard. He grew up working at the family owned Green Valley Golf Course just outside Sturgis, MI. After he graduated from Sturgis High School in 1975, he immediately joined the Sturgis Rural Fire Department. His career in the fire service spanned more than 25 years with various fire and EMS agencies around west Michigan. Notably, he served as fire chief in both Allegan and Whitehall. While working for Mall City Ambulance in the late 70s, Kevin met Judy Gregorek of Kalamazoo. They married in May of 1979 and together they raised two sons, Garrett and Jesse. He enjoyed coaching high school baseball in Centreville, being around horses, 4H rodeos, and go kart racing with his boys. It was common for his two boys to tag along on various emergency calls he would respond to. Later in life, Kevin moved to Las Vegas, NV and worked as the maintenance manager for the Desert Shores Community Association. Kevin had a reputation for dropping everything he was doing to help those in need. He spent his life in public service and making a difference wherever and whenever he could. He was preceded in death by his parents Phil and Elsie Blanchard and his older sister Trudy Ankney. Kevin is survived by his former wife Judy Gregorek; two sons Garrett(Jenny) and Jesse(Kimmy); five grand children Tyler, Jared, Jordyn, Kayleigh, and Eagan; his older brothers Terry and Tim, and older sisters Joyce and Jackie. Memorial services will be postponed until weather will permit an outdoor gathering this spring. The family has asked in lieu of flowers to please make donations in Kevin’s name to your local fire department.