Gerald Eugene (Jerry) Blankenship, 75, of 205 E. Oak Street, Covington, Virginia, died Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Lewis Gale Medical Center at Salem.

Mr. Blankenship was born May 23, 1942 in Alleghany County, a son of late Charles Mason Meadows and Mildred Blankenship Meadows.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Meadows.

He retired as a dispatcher with the Covington Fire Department after 28 years of service.

He was a member of the Johnson Creek ARP Church.

Jerry enjoyed fishing and going to the Lumberjacks baseball games. Surviving are his wife, Peggy Wolfe Blankenship of Covington; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda and Johnny Martin of Simpsonville, SC, and Alice and Glen White of Covington; his sister-in-law, Ermine Meadows of Covington; his brother-in-law, Ryland Wolfe of Clifton Forge; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2017 in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating.

Interment will be made in the Johnson Creek Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be members of the Covington Fire Department.

The family will receive their friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Arritt Funeral Home.

The family suggests that donations in Jerry's name may be made to the Covington Fire Department, 435 W. Hawthorne St., Covington, VA 24426 or to the Brian Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 100 ARH Lane, Low Moor, VA 24457.