James “Jim” Harold Blankenship I, 63, of La Porte, passed away peacefully at 6:22 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2021 at Northwest Health, La Porte.

 

He was born July 27, 1958, in Holden, West Virginia, to Franklin Dewey Owens and Betty Ruth (Jeffery) Bollman.

 

Jim honorably served his country in the United States Army. He was owner and operator of Blankenship Trucking. Jim enjoyed singing karaoke and formerly enjoyed riding motorcycles. He was a family man that was everyone’s go-to-guy and Mr. Fixit.

 

On September 11, 1976, in La Porte, Indiana, he married Deborah (Clingler) Blankenship, who survives.

 

Also surviving are his father, Franklin Owens of West Virginia; three children, Sammantha (Dino) Leone of La Porte, Seth (Tabitha) Blankenship of Mishawaka and James (Rachel) Blankenship II of La Porte; three siblings, Kenny (Becky) Blankenship of FL and Eric (Gena) Blankenship and Lisa Martinez, both of La Porte; and five grandchildren, Garrett, Briannan, Devonie, Duwane and Lilianna.

 

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, September 10, 2021 at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., La Porte, (219) 362-3100 with Pastor Christopher Tomei officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

 

Please send condolences to the family at www.LakeviewFHC.com.

 

Memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 863765, Orlando, Fl 32886 in memory of James Blankenship I.