Edward J. Blanco, Jr
Edward J. Blanco, Jr. (1959-1996) was born in New Orleans, LA, and lived in Lafayette, LA for many years. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, instructor, and mentor.
Ed graduated from the University of Southern Louisiana (USL, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering. As a student, he was a University Police officer and standout fullback on the football team.
Upon graduation, he served the Lafayette community as a Lafayette Police officer as well as a member of the Magnolia Peace Officers Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Universal Karate Association, and Immaculate Heart of Mary church.
In 1991, he was named Outstanding Man of the Year by the Lafayette Jaycees and Man of the Year by the South Louisiana Association of Martial Arts.
At the time of his passing, he served as the Physical Plant Manager at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now ULL) and owner/operator of Louisiana Martial Arts Academy, teaching martial arts to youth in the Lafayette community. His legacy lives on through those whose lives he touched.