Alton Ray Blanks Sr.

Alton Ray Blanks Sr., known affectionately as “Al” or “Pops” to many, entered into rest peacefully at Prisma Richland Heart Hospital on June 16, 2024. Born in Richland County, he was a son of the late Walter N. Blanks, Sr. and Claudia Harper Blanks. A lifelong resident of Columbia, South Carolina, he was a World War II Navy Veteran,a retired mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, a member of the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation, The A&A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, The American Legion, and he attended Main Street United Methodist Church for much of his life.

Alton is survived by his daughter, Kaye Ross Simpson of Los Angeles, California, sons, Alton Ray Blanks Jr. of Aiken, South Carolina and Gregory Alan Blanks (Susanne Resener) of Rengsdorf, Germany, his grandchildren, Allison Blanks Coomes of Aiken, South Carolina, Ryan Blanks (Nicki Voso Blanks) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Jonathan Blanks and Helen Blanks of Berlin, Germany, great-grandchildren Harleigh Coomes and Paisleigh Coomes of Aiken, South Carolina, Alton’s sister, Mary Lucas of West Columbia, South Carolina, along with several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Sylvia Smith Blanks, his daughter-in-law Janet Temples Blanks, four brothers, and an infant sister.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 3, 2024 in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens.