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Frank Irvin Blankinship, Jr. – of Fayetteville, WV, died Saturday, February 17, 2018.
Frank was born September 12, 1932, in Charleston, WV, the only child of Frank I. (Sr.) and Ethel Tweedy Blankinship.
He graduated from Charleston High School in 1950 and from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1954. In 1953, he married Jacquelyn McWhorter, also of Charleston, to whom he would refer for the rest of his life as "my first wife, Jackie." Upon graduation from college, he enlisted in the Air Force and served as a flight navigator, stationed in Harlingen, TX, Mexico Beach, FL, Cape Cod, MA, and Marietta, GA. He worked as an agent for McDonough, Caperton, Shepherd, and Goldsmith Insurance in Charleston, WV, then participated in a pilot project for Union Carbide Corporation in Ft. Pierce, FL, mining lime-based mineral deposits offshore in the Bahamas.
In 1969, he became president of Fayetteville Federal Savings and Loan, where he served until his retirement in 1989. In that position, he took a risk and provided financing for the first whitewater rafting operation in the New River Gorge, an industry that would transform Fayetteville and Fayette County. He was a member of the Fayetteville Rotary Club and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce. As president of the Chamber of Commerce, he oversaw the planning of the first New River Gorge Bridge Day event, which would become an annual tourist event and economic engine for the area. He is one of those honored – along with many of his friends – by a sculpture at the New River Gorge Convention & Visitors Bureau dedicated to those business men who helped to shape the modern-day Fayette Plateau. Frank was an elder at Fayetteville Presbyterian Church where, for many years, he sang in the choir and served as treasurer. He loved golf, tennis, skiing, wood-working, hunting and fishing, especially fly fishing around Bolar in Highland County, VA, where he built the fishing "cabin" of his dreams. And he loved his family as Dad and Papaw.
In addition to his wife, Jackie, Frank is survived by three children, Frank III "Chip" (Anne) of Atlanta, GA, Beth Rudin (Jim) of Charlotte, NC, and James "Jay" (Debby) of Charleston, WV, five grandchildren, Annie Blankinship (Heath) and Jessy Blankinship (Matt), both of Charleston, WV, Frank Blankinship, IV (Hope) of Maryville, TN, Jacquelyn Holloway (Cody) of Bennington, VT, and Martha Ruelas (Joshua) of Merkel, TX, and eight great-grandchildren, Trent, Abbey, Daniel, Maddux, Roman, Zaya, Olivia, and Camille.
Arrangements will be handled by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home of Fayetteville. A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 AT FAYETTEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FAYETTEVILLE, WV. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation be made to Hospice of Southern WV at PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472; Fayetteville Presbyterian Church at PO Box 338, Fayetteville, WV 25840, or the charity of your choice.
For those wishing to express condolences to the Blankinship family, you may do so by visiting our website at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Dodd Payne Hess Funeral Home.
February 24, 2018
Kathy Tudor
I never met "Daddy," but I know and love his daughter Beth well. My sincerest condolences and prayers for all who have been touched by Mr. Blankenship's profound life. Praying all find comfort knowing he served his God well and is now in His big loving arms for eternity.
February 21, 2018
Jackie, Please accept our deepest sympathy on Frank's death. He was a great friend to all of us in the "Bullpasture Enterprises" trout fishing group and will be sorely missed. God bless you and your family. Don and Mary Jane Vredeveld
February 21, 2018
Maria Arritt
Jackie, You have provided strength to many with your Christian witness. I pray the prayers and love of family and friends will give you strength through the days ahead.
February 20, 2018
Anne Carroll
Jackie, please accept my deepest sympathy on Frank's death. I remember Frank from the days when we lived on the 2800 hundred block of Noyes Avenue. He will be missed by all who knew him. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anne Ten Eyck Carroll
February 20, 2018
Mark Haynie
Jay and Beth
I am so sorry for your loss. May God shine brightly on you both and your families and bring you grace and peace.
February 20, 2018
Cathy Burns
The obituary is beautiful and pays a great tribute to Mr Blankenship. I never met him but I knew him through Beth. My condolences to everyone. May the Lord surround you all with peace and love.
February 20, 2018
Angie Ivey
Beth and Family: Please accept my condolences in the passing of a GREAT man who was loved and honored by all who knew him. May all the wonderful memories bring you comfort in the coming days. Hugs and Love!
February 19, 2018
Sharon Cruikshank
Thinking of you all and lifting you in prayer.... your Dad was a wonderful person and will be missed by many
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