He attended San Angelo schools and graduated in 1956. After attending San Angelo Jr. College for one year, he entered the U.S. Air Force; retiring 20 years later. Blanks was married to the late Gwen Goodrum on March 3, 1962. He and his family lived in Joshua, Texas. During the next nine years he worked for Aztec Manufacturing in Crowley, Texas; then he worked as a security guard for Winn Dixie for 15 years.
He joined a seniors group called H2Y at North Hills Hospital. He also worked for the Tarrant County elections on the Ballot Board for four years. Blanks is a member of the First United Methodist Church and a lifetime member (Executive board member-at large) of the American Legion Post 655 in Haltom City, Texas.
Blanks is survived by three children: Beth Sundquist, Lisa Balboa (Joey), and Nathan Oglesby (Cindy). There are 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; a brother- Mike (Phyllis) Oglesby, a sister- Leonore Chambers; one niece, and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Blanks Oglesby and by his son, Troy Oglesby.
The family will receive friends during visitation on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 from 6pm to 8pm at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. A committal service with Military Honors will be held at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carry the Load by visiting their website at www.carrytheload.org/donate.