TO: University - Faculty and Staff
FROM: Robert J. Waller, Dean of the School of Business
DATE: November 18, 1980
James T. Blanford, Emeritus Professor of Accounting, died Sunday, November 2, 1980, at Sartori Hospital, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Dr. Blanford was born on January 25, 1917, in Shelbyville, Illinois. He received his bachelor of science degree in business from Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana, in 1938.
He taught on the secondary level prior to receiving his master of science degree from Indiana University in 1942. He was an instructor at Indiana University before serving as a naval officer during World War II. He joined the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa in 1946 as an instructor of accounting and business. Dr. Blanford received his doctor of education degree from Indiana University in 1951.
During his career at the University of Northern Iowa, he became a Professor of Accounting in 1956 and served as a department head, as head of the Faculty Senate, and as a member of many university committees and professional societies. Dr. Blanford assumed emeritus faculty status in 1979. At the time of his death he was serving as a Visiting Professor of Accounting at the University of Northern Iowa.
Dr. Blanford's community activities included membership in the Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and as a Cedar Falls city councilman. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Dr. Blanford is survived by his wife Mary, Assistant Professor of Business Education at the University of Northern Iowa; three sons, Bruce of Seattle, Washington, Tom of Detroit, Michigan, and William of Palo Alto, California; and a daughter Tracy Claiborne of New Haven, Connecticut. One grandson and two sisters also survive.
A private memorial service was held on November 5, 1980. Memorials to go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation may be left at the family home.