Wyatt Lackland Blankingship

Wyatt Lackland Blankingship, age 88, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and spent his childhood and early years in Havana, Cuba, with his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Antoinette Woodward Blankingship; his father, the Right Reverend Alexander Hugo Blankingship, the last American Episcopal Bishop of Cuba; and his sister, Antoinette Blankingship Donovan.

Wyatt was a graduate of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and the University of Virginia, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Hermitage and traveled extensively during his service.

Following his military service, Wyatt moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked for Lockheed Aircraft Company and earned a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University. There he met his wife of 58 years, Sue Anderson of Virginia. They were married at Peachtree Christian Church, officiated by Wyatt’s father.

Wyatt spent many years as a sales engineer with Ingersoll-Rand in the oil industry. He and Sue later made their home in Metairie, Louisiana, where they raised their two daughters, Loraine and Ashley. He was a very active member of Christ Church Cathedral, serving as Junior Warden of the Vestry, and served on the Board of Directors of Sunrise Community Club. He loved playing tennis, traveling, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, being a regular blood donor, and spoiling his grandchildren.

In later years, Wyatt and Sue returned to the Atlanta area to be near their daughters and their families. Wyatt was an active member of St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church, where he volunteered with Family Promise and shared his bilingual skills while serving at the church’s food pantry.

Wyatt was known for his warmth, kindness, and genuine care for others. He was funny, with a dry sense of humor, and always had a story to share. An engineer at heart, he could fix nearly anything that was broken, often engineering his own tools, repairing appliances until there was nothing left to repair, and restoring his original 1964 Porsche 356C so he could drive “the little red car.” He cherished being near the water throughout his life, with a deep love of sailing, ships, cruises, and found great joy in fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Anderson Blankingship; daughters, Loraine Blankingship Goff (John) and Ashley Blankingship McGinley (David); five grandchildren, Riley Woodward Goff, Dylan Thomas Goff, William James McGinley, Anna Shands McGinley, and Patrick Wyatt McGinley; his brother, Alexander Hugo Blankingship, Jr. (Sally); and numerous relatives.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 13, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church in Marietta, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church or the Alzheimer’s Association. To offer condolences and share cherished memories, please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com.

“Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Wyatt.”

(Book of Common Prayer)