Obituary

Jack Blankenship
(November 1, 1916 - June 21, 2011)

Jack Blankenship, 94, of Barboursville, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at St. Marys Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am Friday, June 24, 2011 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by Pastor Phillip Chapman. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery. He was born November 1, 1916 in Cabell County, a son of the late John and Mae Blankenship. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Bailey Blankenship, and her sons, Lonnie Joe Bledsoe, and his wife, Leah, and Terry Lee Bledsoe, and a host of relatives and friends, including special friends, Rosalie Safford and Arby McComas. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Michael Krasnow, Dr. Timothy Saxe, Dr. Bradley Nine, and the Staff of St. Marys Medical Center for their care, kindness and friendship. Jack was a 50 year member of the Covington Lodge # 109, F. & A.M., Covington, KY, a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Covington, Orient of Kentucky, and a member of the Mohawk Tribe No 11, Huntington. Jack, also known as Riley Jack was a guitar thumb picker. Jack also played with his brother, Pete on WSAZ TV with the Drifting Rangers, WCMI 1015AM, Ironton, on a remote broadcast. Riley Jack also played at Smith Music Hall at Marshall University, and played during his career with Grandpa Jones, Merle Travis, Marcell Dadi, Jerry Reed, and Duke Ellington. He certainly was talented musically and always enjoyed playing his guitar for everybody. Visitation will be after 10:00 am Friday at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville.