Gary "Pops" Blankenship

Sherman- Funeral services for Gary Ronald Blankenship will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, December 10 in the Chapel on the Hill at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. Full military honors will be provided by the US Marine Corps with services under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home. Mr. Blankenship, 62, passed away Monday, December 6 at Texoma Medical Center.

Gary was born March 30, 1948 in Hugo, Oklahoma to the late William Green Blankenship and Mattie Lois (Newton) Blankenship. He graduated from Woodland High School and joined the US Marine Corps on January 16, 1967. While serving his second tour in Vietnam, Gary suffered a spinal injury that left him permanently paralyzed. He was honorably discharged on November 28, 1969. On September 1, 1997 Gary married Maria Trujillo in Sherman. Gary was a Christian and was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Disabled Veterans Association, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Blankenship is survived his wife Maria of Sherman; daughter, Christy Holt of Sherman; son, Mark Holt and wife Trish of Sherman; grandson, Garron Holt of Sherman; mother-in-law, Adeline Hale of Sherman; brothers, J.R. Blankenship of Soper, OK and Mel Blankenship of Boswell, OK; sisters, Linda James of Shingletown, CA and Debbie Ansley of Boswell, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bill Blankenship; and a sister, Rita Hiltackh.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at Waldo Funeral Home. The online register book can be signed at waldofuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at 7020 AC Skinner Parkway Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256.