Arthur Buddy Blankenship

Arthur "Buddy" Blankenship, 82, Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 27, 2017. He was born in Bedford, VA on February 5, 1935. Buddy attended University of Virginia on a football scholarship where he pursued an engineering degree. He especially loved his artwork and traveling extensively in the U.S. and abroad.
Buddy was a wonderfully loving, caring man, enjoying life to the fullest. His favorite thing in life was spending time with his family and many friends. He was a free spirit who never knew a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his loving son, Timothy Wayne Blankenship; parents, Arthur and Ida Blankenship; and sisters, Edith Leach and Doris Jones.
Those left to cherish Buddy's loving, fun and caring memories are his loving wife of 62 years, Betty Dinwiddie Blankenship; son, Alan Blankenship; daughters, Wanda Ford and Elizabeth Blankenship; 6 grandchildren, Hannah and Mary Evelyn Blankenship, Reece and Karlyn Blankenship, and James & Malise Ford; several nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, David Gonce.
The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home Chapel in Bedford. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m.
Burial will follow at Virginia Memorial Park in Forrest.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2020 Meadowview Parkway, Suite 100, Kingsport, TN 37660 or to your local animal shelter.
This obituary is contributed as a courtesy of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.