Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin (Speed) Blankenship and Mary Lohff Blankenship; and older brother, Gene Blankenship.
He is survived by his sister, Carlynn Simmons of Bonaire, Georgia; sister-in-law, Cathy Blankenship of Merced; 5 nephews, 2 nieces, 6 great nephews, 4 great nieces, and 2 great-grand nieces.
In 2004 he retired from Civil Service with 38 years at Folsom Dam.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Merced District Cemetery.
