Blankenship, James Leonard

James “Jim” Leonard Blankenship, was born May 30, 1943 in Oceana, WV. Currently residing in Floyd, VA went home to be with his heavenly Father on January 14, 2022.

Jim is preceded in death by his Father, Clifford “Frank” Blankenship and his Mother, Vivian Wyatt Blankenship. Brothers, Charles Blankenship and Connie Blankenship.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Linda Maxwell Blankenship, Daughter Sherry Blankenship Blondino (Matt), Step-Daughter Elaine Kendrick (Tim), Step-Son Bobby Maxwell. Grandchildren Zak Blankenship, Jacob Blondino, Tyler Kendrick (Victoria), Zane Kendrick (Emilie), Hanna, Sydney & Nikki Kendrick, Hunter, Isaac & Wyatt Maxwell. Great Grandchildren Reagan & Wesley Kendrick. Brothers Bill Blankenship (Joy) of Dothan, AL and Raymond Blankenship of Beckley, WV. Sisters Shirley Goodwin of Prince George, VA and Anna Crouch (Rupert) of Eufaula, AL. Sisters-in-Law, Kathy Blankenship of Cleveland, OH and Maggie Blankenship of Dublin, VA
and a host of family and friends.

Jim served his Country as a Paratrooper and Sgt. in the U.S. Army. He was in the Davy Crockett Platoon from the 325th Airborne Infantry Battlegroup of the 82nd Abn Div. in Fort Bragg, NC. He received a Parachutist Badge.

He owned and operated Riner Small Engines after retiring from the United States Postal Service.
He loved the Virginia Tech Hokies, Washington Redskins, fishing and his days of drag racing at Elk Creek Raceway.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Mary Lou Summers, Chairman
SWVAVCV-P.O. Box 11373
Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-1373
marysummers496@gmail.com
*Please make all donations payable to:
SWVA Veterans Cemetery Volunteers