James Horace Blankenship

A devoted husband, wonderful father, a blessed grandfather, and great grandfather, James H. Blankenship of Roswell, Georgia passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 20, 2022. Born to the late James Terry and Allene Lunceford Blankenship on January 17th, 1935, Jim, as he was known by all who loved him, was 87 when he passed, having spent his most recent birthday with his family and loved every moment of the celebrations.

Jim was a proud graduate of Grady High School and remained very active in the Grady High School Lunch Bunch spending precious time remembering their devotion to their education and perhaps some mischief that may have occurred during their time at GHS.

As a very young man, Jim worked at the Fulton County Airport which sparked a passion for all things “flying”, in turn leading him to join the United States Air Force. Jim held a private pilot’s license several times during his life, even being recertified in his late sixties as he so enjoyed the freedom flight above the earth provided.

After service in the Air Force, Jim started a long and distinguished career with the General Motors Corporation. During the early years of computers, he began training and specializing in data processing, computer systems development, programming and hardware installations for GM. Jim would often joke when riding in someone else’s car that he hoped no one official would see him in that Ford or Mercedes because he was afraid GM would take away his pension. After retiring from GM, Jim went on to work at Lockheed Martin and then at World Span from where he earned a second retirement in 2003.

Jim was also a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution and was very involved in the activities of the organization.

Jim married his beloved wife Barbara Harris Blankenship on March 24th, 1954, and they were married for almost 50 years before her passing in 2003. They soon began their family having two beautiful daughters both of whom he was very proud. He also loved his granddaughter and three grandsons. In recent years his heart was filled with joy again with the birth of his two great-grandsons. Known by all as “Gran”, he loved his family.

Jim had many hobbies including beekeeping, locksmithing, sailing, flying, fishing, photography, and most recently, ancestry.com. But he and Barbara loved traveling together. They visited many exciting destinations such as Russia, London, Korea, Ireland and even made several crossings on the QE2. Many happy memories were made on St. Simons Island where time was spent with family.

A longtime member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Jim was committed to his faith and his church. On Sunday mornings you could always find Jim on the third-row pew, left side for worship. And on Wednesday nights he would be in the Family Life Center for WOW Suppers. Jim was a long-time member of the Wesley Workers Sunday School Class, the Keenagers, and was a trained Stephen Minister.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sibling and his wife Barbara. He is survived by his daughters, Stacy Blankenship Levy and Wendy Blankenship Breedlove, his grandchildren Elizabeth, Sam, Evan and Collin, and his great-grandchildren, Emmett and Ethan.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 28th from 5-8 at the H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill Funeral Home 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30068.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on March 1, 2022, at 11am at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church at 1770 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30062.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider a donation to MUST Ministries in Marietta, GA. www.mustministries.org.