Thomas Blankenship, of Beavercreek, OH, formerly of Houston, TX, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. He was born on October 5, 1964, to Janice and Harold Blankenship, who both predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by his much adored step-father, Ted Frey.
Thomas, affectionately known as Tom, is survived by his beloved son, Kenny Vaughan (and his wife Liz) of Columbus, OH, and their two children, Maddox and Hayden; and his daughter, Jessica (Paul) Duvall, and her daughter, Skylar Rubash, his sister, Angie Blankenship Pina (wife of Dr. Desiderio Pina) of Beavercreek, OH; his sister, Karen Adams of Columbus, OH; He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews: Christy Mayberry, Sheri Adkins, Jamie Bell, Brooke Bragdon, Bethany Schmidberger, Gregory Pina, Michael Pina, John Pina, and Daniel Pina.
They loved to hear the Uncle Tom stories that his sister Angie loved to tell. Tom was known for his vivacious spirit and quick wit. A gifted talker, he was often the life of the party, filling rooms with laughter and warmth. His favorite phrase, "Of course I know how to do that, I've been doing that for years!" was a testament to his skills as a handyman and contractor, a profession in which he took great pride. His boisterous personality was matched by his big heart; always ready to defend the honor of those he loved and help in any way he could. His sharp tongue, loud laugh, and quick temper were part of his charm, making him a memorable figure in the lives of all who knew him. Tom's life was a testament to his spirit: bold, passionate, and fiercely energetic.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. In accordance with his wishes, Tom will be cremated.
A celebration of life service will be held at his son's home on Saturday, June 17th from 2-6 PM.
Donations can be made in his memory to The Cancer Research Institute or The American Cancer Society or The American Institute for Cancer Research.