Micheal Vernon Blankenship

September 22, 1948 - April 15, 2024

Micheal (Mike) Vernon Blankenship, age 75, was welcomed into his heavenly home on Monday, April 15, 2024 from his home in Franklin, West Virginia.

Mike was a devout Christian, a friend and helper to all. Mike worked hard all his life until the day he passed when he was working on a project with his eldest son, Mick. He was born September 22, 1948 in Portsmouth, Virginia and was the son of the late Leonard Douglas Blankenship and Alice Perthenia Black Millan. He was raised on the family farm in Upper Tract, West Virginia by his maternal grandparents, Walter William and Olena Dahmer Black.

His sister, Patricia Blankenship, and his brother, Larry Blankenship preceded him in death.

He was married on June 28, 1969 to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life for 54 years, Nancy Mitchell Blankenship, surviving.

Surviving are two sons that he was so proud of and adored, Micheal (Mick) Vernon Blankenship II and wife,Teresa Conley Blankenship, of Hinton, Virginia and Nevin Jason Blankenship and wife, Vickie VanMeter Blankenship, of Harrisonburg, Virginia; three grandchildren who called him "Paw Paw", Jerica Blankenship of Hinton, Virginia; Alexis Blankenship and Jathan Blankenship of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Mike loved his family and was so proud and supportive of their accomplishments, especially his grandchildren. He tried to attend every recital, play, sporting event, ceremony that his grandchildren participated in up until his passing. Mike enjoyed being outdoors, lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need, offering advice on any project, singing, playing his guitar, and living with the Lord. He was a talented speaker and writer.

Mike was a faithful member of Christ Central Community Church since 1979, where he was a Lay Leader for many years. He officiated several weddings and performed funeral services for many of his friends and family members. Mike completed a Walk of Faith with Rainbow Via De Cristo in Frederick, Maryland. He led a Wednesday prayer group at James Madison University for many years.

Mike graduated from Franklin High School in 1966. After high school, he studied engineering at Potomac State College, Columbia Institute of Technology and Northern Virginia Community College.

Mike was an accomplished engineer, designer and business owner. He started his career in the metro Washington, D.C. area where he was head engineer on many projects over ten years. He built the first high rise in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Mike was the head engineer on the Crystal City Complex in Arlington, Virginia. One of the highlights of his career was the Washington, D.C. temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kensington, Maryland. He moved his family to West Virginia where he established the Micheal V. Blankenship, Inc. construction firm. Some of the projects he completed were the Lovegrove Complex, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Reeds Creek Fish Hatchery addition. He was a Scholz Home builder where he built multiple houses in the area. Two homes stood out to Mike that he completed. One multi-home project was the renovation of his friend and "brother" Larry Rexrode and wife Beverly's home, Maple Manor, along with the relocation of a home from the current location of the Franklin Subway. The other home is the one he built for his friend and "brother" Mike Hammer. Mike designed and built a home for his family that was completed in 1988. He worked for Pendleton County Schools for five years as the Maintenance Director working with another dear friend, Doug Simmons, where he completed the school bus garage on Route 33 near the State Police barracks. In 1989, he began his career as a Capital Outlay Project Architect /  Engineer at James Madison University. Mike's first project at JMU was Buress Hall. His notable projects he oversaw were Plecker Athletic Performance Center, the entire CISAT Campus including the bridge over Interstate 81, the Warsaw Street Parking Deck and the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. After retirement from JMU, he oversaw construction projects at Bridgewater Retirement Community and was Clerk of the Works for the construction of the new Franklin Elementary School and projects at Pendleton County Middle/High School and North Fork Elementary School.

Mike was a friend and mentor to many throughout his life. He never met a stranger. Mike leaves behind a legacy and testaments to his expertise through his projects at JMU, the Blue Ridge Valley, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., but most of all the guidance and knowledge he passed on to all who crossed his path.

Mike's dear friend, Eli Zugay held a special place in Mike's heart and for the last 50 years, he visited West Virginia and spent 2 weeks with Mike and Nancy. Mike also held a special place in his heart and dearly missed his hunting buddies, Harvey Mitchell and Delbert Mowery.

Mike and Nancy had a passion for traveling and they only lacked 7 states to have been to all 50 states. They enjoyed many trips to Canada, Mexico, Western, Eastern and Southern Carribean. The two of them had traveled extensively with a Senior bus group in Romney. Mike's mother, Alice, initiated the travel bug in them in the early years of their marriage as they traveled many places with her in her motorhome. Mike, Nancy, their children and grandchildren ventured on many trips and cruises together, including: Their yearly vacations to Massanutten to their "mountain home" (a tradition started by Mike's mother in the 80's, where Mike had been on the board of directors and the planning committees); to Pigeon Forge (which they had a great love for); Branson, MI; numerous trips to Disney, including California with Nevin and his family; the entire Atlanitc Coast (they love the Ocean); the Pacific Coast with Nevin and his family during a 21 day trip out west together; and to Hawaii with Mick and his family.

Family will receive friends and relatives at Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin, West Virginia from 5 pm to 7 pm on April 19, 2024. Funeral services will be at 2 pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Christ Central Community Church in Upper Tract, West Virginia. Graveside service will be immediately following the service at Kline Cemetery in Upper Tract, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to Paw Paw's Bridge to Education Fund through Pendleton Community Bank, c/o Nancy Blankenship, POB 460, Franklin, WV 26807. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.