Orval Blankenship

Orval Eugene Blankenship left us, bound for Heaven on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. He went quickly and peacefully from his home in Ruidoso Downs, NM. Ruidoso Downs had been his home since 1971 when he and his wife of nearly 67 years, Bonnie Wynona(Nona), journeyed from Sweetwater, Texas.

Orval spent most of his life building and constructing, both in Sweetwater and Ruidoso. He started Circle B Campground in 1971 and many successful ventures later, left his family with his latest and last business, Lotza Stuff Flea Market in Ruidoso Downs. He was truly an entrepreneur and worked hard his entire life to provide for his family and leave a legacy.

Having left home at the young age of 13, he struck out on his own. He met and married Bonnie Wynona Estes in Anton, Texas on August 28, 1949. They had three wonderful children, Sherry, Karen and Stephen, which resulted in five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Orval was a member of First Southern Baptist Church of Ruidoso Downs. In the last years, gardening and especially tomatoes were his passion, along with "junking" as he called it, with Nona. Nona will sorely miss him, as will his three children, their spouses, Larry, Ray and Shamie. He was wonderful grandfather to Jennifer and Brian Brack, Scott and Lisa Stevens, Rusty and Diane Smith, Reanna and Brad Archer and Jonathon Blankenship. He will be remembered fondly by all of them.
Orval was born in Ranger, Texas on October 28, 1929 and spent 87 wonderful years with us. We will all miss him so much.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 27, at LaGrone Funeral Chapel from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with the funeral service on Sunday, August 28, at 3:00 P.M. at the First Southern Baptist Church of Ruidoso Downs. Burial will follow at the Ruidoso Hondo Valley Memorial Park.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Saturday, August 27, 2016
5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Service

Funeral Service

First Baptist Church of Ruidoso Downs
361 East Highway 70
Ruidoso Downs, NM  88346
Sunday, August 28, 2016
3:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Ruidoso Hondo Valley Cemetery
MM 267.5 on U.S. Highway 70
Ruidoso Downs, NM  88346