Blankenship, Ralph D. ‘R.D.’ –1946-2010

BLANKENSHIP, GLOYD, HENSLER, KING, NUTT, VASEY

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 7/19/2010 at 16:40:12

Ralph D. ‘R.D.’ Blankenship, 63, the son of Walter and Phyllis (Gloyd) Blankenship was born on Nov. 16, 1946, in Needles, Calif., and passed unexpectedly on July 10, 2010, at home in Cave Creek, Ariz.
He graduated in 1965 from Monroe High School, where he participated in football, 4-H and FFA. He attended Iowa State University after high school and joined the National Guard. R.D. and his younger brother, Chuck, started their own construction company, Blankenship Bros. They were a successful team with Chuck running the business side and R.D. in charge of the construction side. Chuck’s untimely death in 1978 brought an end to the business. R.D. and Judy, who were married in June 1977, moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1979. R.D. was recruited to work for Weitz Co., and he worked there for 31 years, the last few as the Quality Control Manager. R.D. custom built their Cave Creek, Ariz., home to accommodate their passion of doing agility with their many Irish setter dogs. He also enjoyed NASCAR, cooking and working around the house.
R.D. was preceded in death by his father, Walter; his brother, Chuck; grandparents; and uncle, George Hensler. Survivors include his wife, Judy of Cave Creek, Ariz.; his mother, Phyllis, and aunt, Eloise Hensler, of Monroe; daughter Tiffany Vasey (Jaret) and their sons, Braeden and Deacon of Altoona; stepchildren Vicki King (Bruce) and Randy Nutt of Urbandale; and step-grandchildren Jason King of Urbandale and Ryan King (Jackie) of Ankeny and their daughter, Callie.
A visitation with the family will be Friday, July 16, at the Monroe United Methodist Church from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the church or the Monroe Recreational Park fund.
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, July 16, 2010