Donald Gene Blankenship

Donald Gene Blankenship, 74, of Moscow, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Davis Life Care Center. He was born February 25, 1944 in Pine Bluff, son of the late William P. Blankenship Sr. and Jane Newton Blankenship. Don was reared and received his early education in Linwood, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1962. He attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Don finished college at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree. He served from 1967-1968 on the Aircraft Carrier USS-Ticonderoga, CVA-14, V-2 Division near the coast of Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy Reserve in August 1972. Survivors include two brothers, William P. "Bill" Blankenship, Jr. (Sharon) of Pine Bluff and Ronald Blankenship (Joy) of Pine Bluff; sister, Jan Harris (John) of Nacogdoches, Texas; nephews, William Lee Blankenship of Pine Bluff, Andrew Bond Blankenship (Ginny) of Little Rock, Benjamin Ramsay Blankenship (Betsy) of Little Rock and John William "Bill" Harris (Heather) of Douglas, Texas; nieces, Mary Elizabeth Walter (Alan) of Paragould, Kimberly Kay Sardin (Bill) of Hot Springs, Mary Jane McClendon (Levi) of Burke, Texas and Kate Barlow (Eric) of Little Rock. Don was especially grateful for the friendship and help of Bobby Wyatt and Jack Jones. He will be in state Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. A graveside service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Grady Cemetery. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.