Zara Lee Blankinship
Zara Lee Blankinship
October 6, 1927 – June 1, 2018
Zara Lee Blankinship passed away June 1, 2018. He was born October 6, 1927 in Wichita, Kansas to Zara S Blankinship and Bennie Lee Thompson. The family relocated to the Rio Grande Valley in 1930. Zara worked for his father at Blankinship Auto Repair through high school and began working for the U.S. Border Patrol as a mechanic in 1949.
In 1954, Z.L. started his own repair shop specializing in Volkswagen repair until 1959 when he became Service Manager for Blevins Motor Company. While with Blevins, Zara earned the Commendation Day Award, the highest honor awarded to employees by Volkswagen for customer service. Just over a decade later, Zara moved over to Van Burkleo Motors and again was awarded for his customer service, only this time by Ford Motor Company. In the early 80’s, Zara moved to Spicewood, Texas and worked for Subaru until his retirement. While in Spicewood, he sat on the board of his community for many years, earning his place as a pillar of his community.
He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Averill and husband Joe, of McAllen, TX, daughter Jill Bradshaw and husband Doug of Concord, NH, son Lee Blankinship and wife Patty, of Spicewood, TX, son in law Charlie Greenhill of Phoenix, AZ, brother Tom Blankinship and wife Donna of California, sister Martha Powell of Dallas, TX, and step daughter Alicia Turnley of Smithville, TX.
He has 7 grandchildren: Allen Gray and Trey Averill of McAllen, TX, Mandy Reid of Phoenix, AZ, Lauren Bradshaw of Charlotte, NC, Bambi May of Copperas Cove, TX, Chris Blankinship of Leander, TX and Kevin Blankinship of Lakeway, TX. He has 8 great grandchildren: Natalie and Mallory Gray of McAllen, TX Michael Reid of Phoenix, AZ, Jaxon Blankinship of Leander, TX, Zoe, Bella, Gabby and Kathryne May of Copperas Cove, TX.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Blankinship, his daughter, Jan Greenhill and his grandson, Michael Greenhill.
Services to be held on June 16, at 11:00 am at Spicewood Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made at: www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com
