Davis Oscar Blanks, 90, of Decatur, Ga, died peacefully in his sleep from complications of congestive heart failure on February 15, 2019. Preceded in death by daughter, Julie Blanks Bishop, Oscar is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Eloise Nixon Blanks; daughter, Lynn Sexton (Tobin) of Stone Mountain, sons Dave Blanks (Wendy) of Atlanta and Jeff Blanks of Sandy Springs; five grandchildren, John White, Jr (Erika), Anna S. Hutsell (Andy), Trey Sexton, Mary Jessica B. Bailey (Brent) and Ben Blanks; and four great-grandchildren--Reese, Liam and Natalie White and Shepard Hutsell, along with a host of nieces and nephews. Oscar Blanks was born in Macon, GA, on July 28, 1928. He was a 1952 graduate of Mercer University and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was an active member of Briarlake Baptist Church for 51 years and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Oscar was employed by New York Life for 34 years, retiring as Manager of the Atlanta Central Service Office in 1984. Oscar was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He coached youth soccer in Dekalb County for many years through the Dekalb YMCA and also the Briarlake Baptist Activities Ministry. As a member of the Volunteer Sunday School class, he made countless trips in his little blue truck to pick up donations that supported the Memorial Drive Shelter for the Homeless. Oscar fished the flats of Steinhatchee, FL every October for decades and grew tomatoes every summer in the garden in his backyard. He mowed his perfectly manicured yard until age 86 and split wood for the roaring fires he built without a gas starter in his fireplace every winter. A humble and dignified Southern gentleman, Oscar was a faithful friend who always put others before himself. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A private family burial is scheduled for Monday, February 18 at11:00 a.m. at Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Tucker, GA. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Briarlake Baptist Church, 3715 Briarlake Rd, Decatur, GA 30033 with a reception in the Fellowship Hall to follow. Visitation precedes the service in the Chapel at 12noon. The family wishes to thank Diane and Ann of Longleaf Hospice for their most excellent care. Memorial contributions may be made to Longleaf Hospice, 2310 Parklake Drive, NE, #325, Atlanta, GA, 30345 or the Benevolence Fund of Briarlake Baptist Church.
