Donald Blankenship of Red Oak, OK passed away on October 25, 2012 at Latimer County General Hospital at the age of 84. Donald was born March 10, 1928 in Bengal, Oklahoma to Harrison and Alta Cecil Marie (Crimms) Blankenship. Donald grew up farming and ranching and made working the land and cattle his life long career. He also worked at Eastern Oklahoma State College and Latimer County District III. Donald married LaVern Sutton on May 12, 1950 and had four children. Donald greatest joy was his family and especially his grandchildren. He is survived by is loving wife, LaVern of the home; son, Wayne Blankenship and wife, Debbie of Haileyville; three daughters, Shirley Gandee of Red Oak, Loretta Davis and husband, Benny of McAlester and Wanda Christopher and husband, Wayne of Red Oak; two brothers, H.D. Blankenship and wife, Norma of Red Oak and John Blankenship and wife, Margie of Marshal, TX; three sisters, Dorotha Pearl Aldridge and husband, Bob of Carmichael, CA, Vesta Wooten of Hartshorne and Dorothy May Wright and husband, Don of Ramona; brother-in-law, Dean Sutton and wife, Patti of Wilburton and sister-in-law, Syble Henry and husband, Wilburn of Red Oak; Twenty Five Grandchildren, Forty Two Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family and a host of friends. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Harrison and Cecil Blankenship of Red Oak; brother, Iva Lee Blankenship of Red Oak and son-in-law, Fred Gandee of Red Oak. The Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 29, 2012 at the Salonia Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Leon Sheppard officiating. Interment will follow at Peachland Cemetery, Bengal Community, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be: Jason Young, Eric Christopher, Mark Gandee, Lane Vaden, Freddie Gandee, Doyle Blankenship, D.J. Blankenship, Kevin Vaden, Michael Vaden, Kenny Gandee, Jacob Gandee, Christopher Gandee, Johnny Blankenship, B.J. Davis, and John Gandee. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Jones Harkins Funeral Home, Wilburton, Oklahoma.