James Lynn Blankenship, Jr., age 91, passed away on November 18, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Lynn Blankenship and Louise Toole Blankenship Lay; son in law, Charles Edward Williams, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Jamie Marguerite Gillenwaters Blankenship; daughters, Sylvia Lynn Williams, Maria Theresa Schettler ( HC); sons, Bruce Albert Blankenship ( Angelique) and James Lynn Blankenship III. He has four grandsons; Christopher Ryan Schettler, Charles Edward Williams III, Jordan Christian Schettler, and Bruce Albert Blankenship, Jr.; and one granddaughter, Olivia Lynn Shuirr. He also leaves eight great-grandchildren; Kaleb Schettler, Liam Shubert, Soleil Shuirr, Lukas Schettler, Quinn Schettler, Luna Shuirr, Anthony Mangome and Joseph Mangome.
He graduated from Central High School in 1950. His higher education was all from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, receiving a BS in Engineering Physics, Masters in Physics and Doctorate in Physics. He worked at Oak Ridge National Lab in the Controls and Instrumentation Division as well as the Health Physics Division. Even after he retired from ONL, he returned as a consultant with UT Battelle. Over the course of his career, he published many papers and had several patents as well.
His hobbies included photography and electronics. He was delighted to be known as "Mr. Fix It" as he could fix just about anything. Although he enjoyed his hobbies, his real love was his wife, Jamie and the rest of his ever growing family.
Celebration of Life to be held at: Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 7225 Old Clinton Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37921: Saturday December 3, 2022 @ 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Make A Wish Foundation of East Tennessee, 6700 Baum Drive, Suite 7, Knoxville, TN 37919; Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com for the Blankenship family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18