Louis Thomas Blankenship

Louis Thomas “Tommy” Blankenship, 84, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022. He was a long time faithful member of Roanoke First Church of the Nazarene, and later at East Gate Church of the Nazarene where he taught the Men’s class, served on the board, and loved attending every service, project, retreat, and activity at the church.
He served in the army, mostly in Italy, and returned to work as a service technician for many companies, including Singer, Friden, TRW, Signet, and First Citizens. He retired while at ITT. He traveled all over southwest Virginia in his work.
He greatly loved his wife of almost 60 years, his girls, and his family and church family. He prayed daily for family, church, friends, and neighbors, and loved reading and studying his Bible and Sunday school lessons. He shared his love of the Lord with everyone he could. Fishing, Hunting, boating, and spending time outside in the yard, piddling and playing with the dog were some of his favorite things to so.
He will be greatly missed by all whom knew him and his influence and life will continue to affect those who loved him for many years to come.

He was predeceased by his son, Paul Thomas Blankenship; grandchildren, Steven Thomas Perkins and Angel Perkins; parents, Lewis E. and Louise Berger Blankenship, and father and mother-in-law, Jimmy and Nadine Schoonover.

Surviving family includes his wife, Joan Schoonover Blankenship; daughters and husbands, Donna and David Dickerson, and Ester and Brian Langford (Tenn); grandchildren and spouses, Amber and Shawn Perkins, Thomas and Brittney Dickerson, Andrew and Hannah Langford (Tenn), Jimmy Langford (Tenn); great-grandchildren, Ryeli Catalan and Brianna Carter; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Joyce Blankenship; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike and Lynda Schoonover; nephew, Richard and Karen Blankenship, and special friends Michelle Catalan and David Shivley

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the Lotz Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Pastor Shannon Harris, Rev. George Stevenson, and Mr. Jimmy Langford officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 16, 2022 from 6-8 PM at the funeral home.

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