Ronnie Blankenship

Ronnie Blankenship lived his life with perseverance; whether he was strumming notes on his guitar, restoring old cars, managing his business, or making people laugh, Ron lived each day to its fullest.

The 1940’s were dominated by WWII, providing numerous diverse challenges for American families. The automobile industry undoubtedly felt the effects of the war, as steel and rubber were used primarily to support the war effort. This caused automobile production to cease in 1942. Luther and Rosetta (Lay) Blankenship, of Jellico, Tennessee, were able to shift their focus from the world around them to their own bright spot, as Rosetta was due to give birth to their third child at any time. They were indeed blessed on August 29, 1943 with the birth of their healthy son, Ronnie. Jellico, is situated amidst the Cumberland Mountains in the Elk Creek Valley, which runs perpendicular to the Tennessee-Kentucky state line, and is a great place to raise a young family. Ron spent his childhood in Tennessee where he attended school. He established a strong work ethic at a young age when he began working in a coal mine at the age of 14. Ron had a life long passion for tinkering with cars. Eventually, Ron attended auto body school where he accomplished one of the many dreams he had. This skill would also provide Ron with a career path which would carry him throughout his entire lifetime.

Ron met E. Karrol Harmon in Kingsley, Michigan, and they were later united in marriage. Although their marriage ultimately ended in divorce, they were blessed with the birth of two children, Wanda and Ron.

Auto body repair allowed Ron to earn a living doing something he loved, fixing cars. He owned a auto body shop in Grawn, Michigan and opened Country Auto Sales in Alabama. Eventually, Ron established Country Auto Sales in Traverse City, Michigan. Ron thoroughly cherished cars and especially enjoyed restoring old cars and then selling them.

When he wasn’t working, Ron found time to enjoy some of the things he loved in addition to cars. He enjoyed music, especially playing his guitar and singing country songs. Ron had a great sense of humor. He was a giving and generous person, often brightening the days of those around him just by being who he was, each and every day.

For most people, life is a combination of peaks and valleys and Ron’s life was no exception. A bright spot for Ron was when he met Robin Rickman, with whom he spent 23 years. Ron and Robin were additionally blessed by the birth of their beautiful daughter, Alisha. Ron had planned to buy a RV to travel across the United States. He dreamed of seeing the Grand Canyon and visiting friends and family. A trying time for Ron was when he received his diagnosis of cancer. He valiantly fought the disease for over a year, and was able to turn his illness into something positive. This diagnosis provided Ron with the desire to share his feelings more than he had in the past. He became more passionate about telling the people in his life how very much they meant to him. Ron wanted to make sure that his family and friends knew how much he uniquely cherished each and every one of them.

Ronnie Blankenship embraced his life and those placed in it. He loved music and cars, but what he treasured most, was loving his family. He spent his last days drinking in each moment that he was given, until he took his last breath.

Ronnie Blankenship died on Friday, December 12, 2008. Ronnie’s family includes his significant other, Robin Rickman of Grawn; daughters, Wanda (Mark) Budzinski of Denver, and Alisha Rickman of Grawn; son, Ron (Juanita Renaud) Blankenship of Traverse City; stepson, Brandon Crist of Grawn; siblings, Ken Blankenship, Wanda Brownell, Linda (Steve) D’Alessio, Gary (Ethel) Blankenship, Carolyn (Ed) Denton; and half-sister, Rosalie (Bob) Satchwill; step brothers and sisters. Ron is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Luther “Jr.” Blankenship.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 3 - 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at the Traverse City Life Story Funeral Home - Traverse City, MI, 752 Munson Ave. A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at the funeral home. Please visit Ron’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or photo with his family, sign the online guest book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to the Munson Medical Center, Outpatient Cancer Fund, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684.