John DeBlanc, 74, of Escondido and Idyllwild, died of liver cancer at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido on Friday, Sep. 26, 2008.

He was born May 23, 1934.

John and his wife Paula bought a home in Idyllwild 16 years ago in anticipation of his retirement from the Convair Division of General Dynamics. They commuted between Escondido and Idyllwild, and especially enjoyed hiking every trail in the area in all seasons.

When the Bee Fire threatened Idyllwild and news reports erroneously said the town had been burned, John got together with a group of local merchants, volunteering his marketing skills to inform Southern California that the town was untouched and open for business.

He then joined the Chamber of Commerce and gave periodic seminars on goal-setting and marketing promotions.

John also was active supporting Idyllwild as an art community and attended many of the Art Alliance of Idyllwild functions. He also supported Idyllwild Art’s summer Native American program.

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