Bradley William Blankenship

Bradley William Blankenship, 59, passed away November 4, 2017.

Services: Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 4:00 pm with a wake to follow, at Jackson Cattle Ranch on Pilgrim Lane in Lorena, TX in the “Red Barn”.   For directions, email Jefferson Jackson at jeffjackson53@yahoo.com.

There will be a meal after the service, and people are encouraged to bring potluck, horsd’oeuvres, or desserts.

Floral gifts may be sent to:
Jefferson Jackson
c/o Elaine Sawyers
321 Crockett Ln.
Hewitt, TX 76643

Bradly was born January 5, 1958, in Corsicana, Texas. He was an honest man. He loved his father. He loved to shoot, and to hunt. He loved being a mechanic, and to dance and sing.He very much loved his black Labrador, Peney, having a good cigar, and telling stories.

Bradley grew up in the deep woods of East Texas, where his father taught him how to shoot, and hunt. Bradley built his first car, a Mustang, before he was even old enough to drive the car. He attended Daingerfield High School, where he graduated in 1976. In high school, Bradley played All-State Center on the school’s State Champion football team. After high school, Bradley attended SMU on a football scholarship, where he played Center for the Mustangs. Shortly after college, Bradley joined the United States Marine Corp, where he rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, before retiring from the military.
Bradley moved to Waco, Texas in 1996, to work in the Service/Sales Representative industry. He was very good at his trade, and because of his knowledge he would increase the customer base, or increase the parts and service revenue of the companies for which he worked.

Bradley was a lifetime member of the National Rifleman Association. He was also a member of Duck’s Unlimited, and he often worked to collect items to auction for fundraiser dinners. He was a member of the National Sporting Clays Association. On one occasion, Bradley had to fill in as an “Emergency Team Member” for competition, so that the team could qualify to compete. The team needed a “female” to qualify, and none were available. Bradley donned a dress, and shot as “a woman”, which allowed the team to place.

Bradley loved to hunt deer. One of his favorite areas to hunt was in Cypress Mills. He also loved to hunt dove at the ranch of his friend, at the “Red Barn”, where many friends would gather to hunt and socialize. Bradley’s friends and guests enjoyed watching his black Lab, Peney, work with him while he hunted. Bradley like to brag that once, Peney, after retrieving 5,000 birds, only lost one.

Bradley was introduced to Elaine in 2006, by a mutual friend. After initially escorting her to dance at “In the Mood”, in Temple, Texas, thereafter, Bradley and Elaine were inseparable. Bradley loved to sing and dance for Elaine at the Karaoke Bars and various restaurants, much to the enjoyment of other customers.
Bradley would sit on his porch at night, smoking cigars, and talking to his neighbors. If he saw anyone working on their car, he would always help.

Bradley’s beautiful tenor voice was silenced on Saturday, November 4, 2017. He will always be loved and missed by many friends, co-workers, his lovely Elaine, and all of the great many people that he helped.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/

Place of Service: null,