Wesley Leon Blankenship

Wesley was born on October 14, 1939, in Decatur, Illinois to his parents, Sheridan Eugene Blankenship and Dorothy M. Eschbaugh Blankenship. Wes worked as a plant manager for GE in Decatur, Illinois; Asheboro, North Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Kankakee, Illinois. He joined the Hamilton Beach company and then Black and Decker when our family returned to North Carolina, settling in Clinton, NC. Retirement was too slow for dad, so he taught himself survivalist skills, gunsmithing, and nature apothecary skills. Dad spent his time repairing and maintaining many old family firearms for people for many years as part of his gunsmith business. Our dad enjoyed hiking in the mountains when he found the time to go. Dad taught himself to restore old Ford tractors. Darin and I are lucky to both have one of the antique Ford tractors that will forever remind us of our dad. Dad taught us so much.

In his later years, dad devoted his time to be the primary care giver to our mom, Linda Blankenship. His sacrifice allowed to remain at home almost all the way up to the end of her life – we are forever grateful.

Dad was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy; his father, Sheridan; his brother, Gene and many uncles and extended family of cousins.

Wes will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Gretchen Benkowksi (formerly Gretchen Blankenship); son, Darin Blankenship; Debbie Blankenship, and all of his grandchildren, Kirsten Gray, Faith Gray, Gabriel Blankenship, Kaleigh Blankenship and Darin Blankenship Jr., his great granddaughter, Avery and his sister-in-law, Sharon Blankenship.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the National Kidney Foundation. We also ask for your prayers during this time of grief. While we rejoice that Dad is now with our Lord and our family, resting high on that mountain, we will miss him and his wise guidance.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared below within “Add a Memory” for the Blankenship family.