Bobby Blankenship

“Even on the worst days, a tractor ride and an open field was all it took to make things right.”

An exerpt from Fastline Farm Magazine

Bobby LaDon Blankenship was one of the nine children born to L.E. and Ethel Blankenship.  Growing up in rural Arkansas, “Don” spent his childhood living and working on the family farm. He served in the United States Army where he was decorated as a Marksman and Sharpshooter. The roots of his farm life took him to Tennessee at the International Harvester factory, to California as a field hand, and finally back to Arkansas where he continued to work in many capacities in the farming community.

In his golden years, “Don” spent his time restoring, buying, selling, and trading tractors of all sizes; from the small pedal tractors to larger antique equipment.  His proudest moments were when he decorated his restored John Deere or Farmall in patriotic flare, donned his overalls and straw hat and paraded through town during the July 4 ^th Celebrations or when he polished the tractors for the antique tractor show at the Annual Corning Harvest Festival.

He was a man on the move.  “Don” could always be heard saying, “Let’s load and go, load and go!” and of course you had better be ready or you would get left behind.

Bobby LaDon Blankenship, born January 28, 1939 left this life on April 3, 2023 at the age of 84.  Survivors include Pat Blankenship, Connie Thompson and husband Jerry, Teresa Vannoy and husband Ray, Bobby Blankenship II and wife Angela, Allen Blankenship, brother Frankie Blankenship, sister Betty Prince, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Donna Janes, siblings Shirley Pruitt, Bonita Huffman, Junior, Lidell and Tommy Blankenship, and granddaughter Hannah Blankenship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hannah Blankenship Scholarship Fund, 1104 Columbia St., Corning, AR 72422.

Visitation will be held Thursday April 6, 2023 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning. Funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bart Baker officiating. Burial will be at New Liberty Cemetery near Marmaduke.

Online condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com