Robert “George” Blankenship – age 69 of Knoxville entered peacefully into his Heavenly Father’s arms and was made whole again while surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Retired from KUB after 26 years of service. George was an outstanding football player from Rutledge High School. He loved playing short stop for RBS and Ed’s Grocery softball teams and going to his Friday night football games.
Waiting to greet him was his father, Robert “Bob” Blankenship; grandparents, Zeno and Ruby Stout; grandmother, Julie Belle Blankenship; nephew, Jesse Bowman; father-in-law, John Doane; mother-in-law, Delores Doane McNeil; and brother-in-law, Wayne Doane.
Survived by loving wife of 50 years, Donna Doane Blankenship; two loving children, Scott (Sheila) Blankenship and Katrina Blankenship; precious grandchildren that he loved deeply, Darren Moore, Tristen Blankenship, and Brody Blankenship; mother, Ethel DeLoach; sister, Melissa (Tim) Bowman; nephew, Tyler Bowman; father-in-law, Ray McNeil; sister-in-law, Joyce Doane; brothers-in-law, Doug (Becky) McNeil, Phil (Denise) McNeil; sister-in-law, Susan Newberry; several nieces and nephews; and too many friends to mention them all. Special thanks to UT Hospice especially Lisa, Pamela and Linda. They became part of our family.
The family will receive friends 4:00-6:00 PM Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Bridges Funeral Home followed by the funeral service at 6:00 PM with Rev. Mike Lee officiating. Family and friends will meet 1:15 PM on Sunday at the funeral home and go in procession to Roseberry Cemetery for a 2:00 PM interment. Pallbearers: Darren Moore, Tristen Blankenship, Brody Blankenship, Tyler Bowman, Greg Corum, and Stephen Buford. Honorary pallbearers: Jon Doane, Butch Headrick, Jack Jones, and James “Bo” Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CHS Football Booster Club, PO Box 2234, Strawberry Plains, TN 37871. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert George Blankenship March 1 1953 August 2 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N