James H. Blankenship

SHREVEPORT, LA - Funeral services for James H. Blankenship, 90, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Interment will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery. Rev. Rachel McConnell-Switzer will be officiating. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. James was born on June 12, 1926 in South Bend, Indiana to Gainey Blankenship and Irma Mae Guy Blankenship and passed away on June 28, 2016. After graduating high school, James enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country during WWII Pacific Theatre and the Korean Conflict. He was a Quarter Master S3 and served from 1943 to 1951. James was a member of the VFW and a long-time member of Morningside United Methodist Church. He met and married the love of his life, Nancy Candler in 1948 and they made their home in Shreveport where they raised their family. James retired from the US Postal Service. Among his many hobbies and interests he loved collecting stamps and coins and travelled all over the United States. James was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 68 years Nancy Candler Blankenship, sons Steven Harold Blankenship and David Scott Blankenship. He is survived by son James O'Brien Blankenship and wife, Rhonda; grandchildren Nancy Blankenship Rikke and husband Todd, James Todd Blankenship and wife Christi, Julie Blankenship Roman and husband David, Leslie Blankenship Rowell and husband Wes, Stacey Blankenship Boatner and husband Donnie, and Stephanie Blankenship Lawrence and husband Josh; great-grandchildren Justin, Samantha, Connor, and Logan Rikke, Rob and Sadie Blankenship, Gracie Rowell, Laney and C.J. Boatner, and Keylone, Davy and Ray Lawrence; his sister Margaret Brooks along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Honoring James as pallbearers will be Justin Rikke, Todd Rikke, David Roman, Josh Lawrence, Wes Rowell, and Donnie Boatner. The family would like to say a special thank you to Damaris "Pam #1" Cooley, Cassandra Mason, Dorothy Davis, and Sheila Taylor for all the love, care and support they gave to James.