Larry Douglas Blankenship, 71, of Upper Tract went to be with his Lord on Feb. 17, 2022, surrounded by his family at UPMC in Cumberland, Maryland.
He was born June 21, 1950, in Williamson, the son of Alice Black Blankenship Millan of Rockville, Maryland, and the late Leonard Blankenship.
Mr. Blankenship graduated from Franklin High School in 1968, and he pursued additional education at Potomac State College in Keyser.
He worked as a carpenter and was known as a jack-of-all-trades, as he could fix almost anything and loved working on and building things. He also loved gardening, working in his shop and studying the word of God.
He was a member of Bethel Church in Landis, where he was a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years, and was presently attending Christ Central Community Church in Upper Tract.
He leaves a legacy of a strong work ethic. He was a man of integrity, strength, courage, love and strong faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Saviour. He was humble, gentle in nature, quick-witted, had a wonderful sense of humor and was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
“He fought a good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.
On Sept. 29, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Loretta Waggy Blankenship, who survives.
They were blessed with a son, whom he adored, Aaron Douglas Blankenship (fiancée, Tracey) of Clermont, Florida.
Also surviving are a brother, Micheal Blankenship (Nancy) of Franklin; two sisters-in-law, Linda Scott (Steve) of Sarasota, Florida, and Anita Hartman (Hugh) of Franklin; two brothers-in-law, J.T. Waggy (Jennifer) of Huntington and Fred Schaner of Maryland; and six nephews, Jason Scott (Jordan), Adam Hartman (Amanda), Thomas Waggy (Madison), Mick Blankenship (Teresa), Nevin Blankenship (Vicki) and Andrew Schaner.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Blankenship.
The family commemorated his life with a private graveside service at Kline Cemetery with Pastor Sam Harper officiating.
Memorials may be made to Christians United for Israel, PO Box 1307, San Antonio, TX 78295; Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.kimblefuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
