Rucker Glen Blankenship of Spiro, Oklahoma was born on April 30, 1933 in Panama, Oklahoma to Joel and Golsie (Rucker) Blankenship and passed away on June 13, 2021 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 88. He is survived by two sons Dwight Edward Blankenship and DIL Trinka Blankenship; Curtis Blankenship and wife Ruby; daughter Gina Huff and husband Clark; grandchildren Lee Blankenship and wife Abbey; Linzy Wylie and husband Caleb; Linlee Blankenship and Lily Blankenship, Eugene Blankenship, Dana Burch and husband Stacy, Candace Irons, Michelle Carter and husband David, Jacee Lowe and husband Ethan, Allen Blankenship, Cade Blankenship, Ethan Blankenship, Regan Munger and husband Garrett, Haley Huff, Toby Huff, and Jared Huff, great-grandchildren Cole and Clay Blankenship, Justus Wylie, Gia, Tim, Ivory, Gus, and Milo Lowe, numerous nieces and nephews and other family and friends. Rucker was preceded in death by the mother of his children Shirley Blankenship; son Jon Derwin Blankenship; parents, Golsie and Joel Blankenship; brothers, Dwight Blankenship, Derwin Blankenship and Gerald Blankenship.
He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force serving four years at England Air Force base in Alexandria, Louisiana. Upon honorable discharge from the United States Air Force he and his family returned home to Oklahoma. He enjoyed teaching at Pocola and Spiro Schools for several years, and to his delight stayed in touch with many of his students. He was a successful businessman opening Blankenship Insurance Agency in his hometown of Spiro, and during the mid-1960’s he was elected into the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He later served as the Head of Manpower under Governor David Hall, after leaving public office he returned to selling insurance as an independent agent, he spent his last years serving the Lord leading music and as a part time pastor to Gans Bible Church. Rucker was talented musically; he could play many instruments and had a beautiful voice. He enjoyed singing and playing the piano in church. He was a people person and never met a stranger; he always enjoyed visiting with family and friends and had a way of making others feel important. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed writing poetry, and he worked to memorize all of the books of the Bible connecting Christ to each of the books. His favorite Bible passage was Psalm 91.
Funeral services will be at 10:00am on Friday, June 18, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Spiro, Oklahoma with longtime friend and Pastor Brother Steve Rutherford officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro. Viewing will be come and go from 9:00am to 7:00pm on Thursday, June 17, 2021.
Pallbearers will be Lee Blankenship, Toby Huff, Ethan Blankenship, Cade Blankenship, Allen Blankenship, Jared Huff, Ken McNeil, and Kramer Simmons.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Hill, Fred Brewer, Tom Allen, Frank Baca, Enie Tobler, Dave Sullivan, Dale Haskins and Stuart Rapier.
To sign Rucker Glen Blankenship’s online guest book, please visit www.mallorymartinfuneralhome.com
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