James L. Blankenship, 75, of Vero Beach, FL and Chatham, MA passed away on May 5, 2019 from cancer with family by his side.

Jim was born in Kansas City, MO to the late L. Frank & Ora L. Blankenship. The family lived in Pocahontas, AR and would later settle in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia and in 1961 he graduated from Lincoln High School in Yonkers, NY.

In 1966, he earned a B.A. in Journalism from Long Island University.  He was drafted into the United States Army where he served two years as a public information specialist including a year in Vietnam.  Upon discharge, he began a 23 year career as a public relations executive with R. C. Auletta  and Company in New York City.

He married Linda M. Keely of Bronxville, NY and they had two children, Jeffrey in 1972, and Eric in 1978.  They moved to Scarsdale, NY where his wife passed away in 1987 after a long illness.

In 1988, he married Jane Carroll.  Shortly after their marriage, they moved to London.  During this time, Jim became an avid fly fisherman and volunteered in various fish and wildlife projects, including the London Salmon and Trout Association.

When they returned to the U.S. in 1996, they moved to Chatham, MA, where Jim continued his volunteer work, serving on the Boards of Directors of Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore and Friends of Chatham Waterways as a marketing specialist.  They were members of Eastward Ho! Country Club in Chatham where Jim served on both the club's House Committee and Centennial Committee. In 2017, they moved from Chatham to Vero Beach, FL. He loved playing golf, fishing, playing guitar, and creating in the workshop.

Jim is survived by his wife Jane; son Jeffrey (Courtney) of Harwich, MA;  son Eric (Alexis) of Richboro, PA; his brother William of Carnegie, PA; his brother David (Catherine) of New Paltz, NY. He is also survived by his four grandchildren Emma, Lily, Sage, and Brendan.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VNA and Hospice Foundation

1110 35 ^th Lane Vero Beach, Florida 32960.