BEAVER DAM, Ky. — James D. Blankenship, 78, of Beaver Dam died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Bowling Green. James was born in Central City, Kentucky, to the late Kenneth and Velma Fay Turpin Blankenship.
He was a heavy equipment operator at Peabody Coal Gibraltar Mine, he was a Green Beret in the U.S. Army at the rank of staff sargent and fought in Vietnam War.
He enjoyed sky diving, motorcycles, and a member of Independence Baptist Church. James was a 50-year member of Cassia Masonic Lodge #272 F & AM in Morgantown, Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffery Dale Blankenship.
Survivors include his wife, Elmeta Addington Blankenship; a son, Earl Gene (Joan) Blankenship; a daughter, Denise Rene (Larry) Griffin; a brother, Tommy (Christine) Blankenship; and seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with Dr. Glenn Armstrong officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Military rites will be presented by The Ohio County Honor Guard. There will be a Masonic Service Friday night at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.
