Robert Dale Blankenship Sr.

Robert Dale Blankenship, Sr.

Former Tallahassee Democrat Executive Sports Editor Bob Blankenship died January 27, 2012 in Austin, TX after a brief battle with cancer. After serving in the US Air Force, he followed his passion for sports into a career as a sports writer for several newspapers. He began with the Beckley (WV) Register-Herald in the early 1960's then moved to covering Marshall University sports for the Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch. As a sportswriter for the Florida Times Union in Jacksonville, FL, he was courtside at the NCAA Final Four while covering Jacksonville University basketball when they lost in the 1970 title game. Later that year, he covered the College World Series when the Florida State baseball team was in the finals.

In 1971, he became the Executive Sports Editor for the Democrat. One of his most vivid assignments was the Championship game that pitted the FSU basketball team against UCLA in the 1972 Final Four.

Bob later joined the staff of former Florida Agriculture Secretary Doyle Conner as a media liaison. After his retirement from the State of Florida, Bob spent many years traveling to Virginia be with his great grandchildren. He also was an avid fan and devoted follower of the FSU women's basketball team.

Bob was born January 10, 1937 in Sandstone, WV. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Lea Ann Blankenship, his parents W.Basil and Lucille Blankenship and his beloved dog Ring. He is survived by his children, son Bob Blankenship and wife Anne, son Mike Blankenship, and daughter Karen L. Blankenship, all of Tallahassee, FL, a sister Patricia A. Weeks of St. Augustine, FL and his companion Patricia Iacovazzi of Austin, TX, granddaughters Nikki Midkiff and Sheila Blankenship both of Wytheville, VA, grandsons, Brian Blankenship of Tallahassee, FL and Michael Blankenship of Charlotte, NC, great-grandchildren Hannah, Madison, Audrey-Kate and Trey, nephews John Weeks and Mark Weeks of Florida and nieces Kim Parker and Tabbi Brownschidle of Virgina.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday February 4th, 2012 at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton, WV with Pastor Ronald Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in Hilltop Cemetery near Hinton. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers that you make a donation to Christopher House, a Hospice facility in Austin, TX by contacting them at HospiceAustin.org.

Online condolences & guest register at www.pivontfuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, 100 Park Ave. Hinton, WV 25951