Tom H. Blankenship

Longtime La Luz resident
Tom H. Blankenship, 83, a longtime resident of La Luz, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Blankenship was born June 17, 1925, in Wilmar, Calif., to Harris and Edith (McGee) Blankenship, and moved to La Luz in 1932. During World War II he served in the Navy. He was the former owner of Tom Blankenship Pit gravel pit and trucking company. He was a member of the Church of Christ and the Building Contractors Association of Otero County.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Josephine Blankenship, of the family home; a son, Tommy Blankenship, and his wife, Ann, of La Luz; four grandchildren, Tom A. Blankenship, of Denver, Denise Patterson and her companion, Cody Bradley, of Ruidoso, Zane Blankenship and his wife, Sara, of La Luz, and Clint Blankenship and his fiancee, Kate Neudorf, of La Luz; two great-grandchildren, Rickie and Billy Williams, of Ruidoso; two brothers, Bob Blankenship and his wife, Jo, and Paul Blankenship and his wife, Verna, all of La Luz; and a sister, Pauline Dees, and her husband, Bill, of Mayhill.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Tinney; and a brother, Jack Blankenship.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at 10 a.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel with Pastor Ryan Biricocchi and the Rev. Chuck Moon officiating.
Interment will follow in the La Luz Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Paul E. Blankenship, Rodney Blankenship, Barton Blankenship, Harris Blankenship, Bobby Blankenship, Joel Dees, Jesse Dees and Rich Thorp. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Quick, Claude Forrester, Tom Braziel, Bob Braziel, Jim Coble and Bob Nichols.
Friends may call Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
To sign the online guestbook, please visit

www.hamiltonodell.com