H. Carl Blankenship, 82, of Muskogee, died Sunday, November 19, 2006 at Muskogee Regional Medical Center. He was born January 11, 1924 to Louis and Edna (Stewart) Blankenship in Wagoner where he grew up on a farm west of town. He attended Star School for his first eight years and then graduated from Wagoner High School. After school Carl was employed at Katy Railroad for a couple of years before enlisting in the U. S. Army where he was in the Signal Corp. While home on leave during WWII, Carl and Leota Anderson were married on August 21, 1943, in Wagoner. Upon his honorable discharge from the service Carl worked briefly for the Veterans Administration. He and Leota moved to Muskogee in 1949 where they would make their home. In the 1950's Carl began a career with Herzfeld's Beauty Supply as a salesman. He worked there for many years and in 1973 he and Leota acquired the business and changed the name to Blankenship Beauty Supply. He worked diligently for many years and in 1987 Carl retired and they sold the beauty supply store. Carl was a longtime member of First Baptist Church since the early 1960's. He led the singing in his Sunday School Department for many years and belonged to the Men's Sunday School Class taught by Clay Harrell. Carl had a true passion for music and the talent he possessed matched his desire. He played the guitar and sang for many to enjoy. His true love of music was in playing the mandolin. He and his group played at many blue grass festivals, churches and family gatherings. Carl usually stole the show and was enjoyed by all. Carl was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Betty Lou Pratt. He is survived by his wife, Leota Blankenship of Muskogee; one son, Bruce Blankenship of Dallas and his fiancee, Gale Maida; four grandchildren, Bradley Blankenship of Houston, Kama Blankenship, of Dallas, Alisha Simms, of Bixby, and Jeremy Frix, of Houston; great grandchildren, Lauren and Cameron Simms of Bixby; one brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Margie Blankenship of Ft. Gibson; one sister, Ida Frances Tedrow of Yukon; sister-in-law, Oneta Ryser of Oklahoma City; brother-in-law, Amel Anderson and his wife, Mary of Shawnee; numerous nieces and nephews, including three special nephews, Mike, Bryan and Curtis Ryser. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at the First Baptist Church Sanctuary with Dr. Lance Sawyer and Rev. Don Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Gibson National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Herzfeld, Jim Hill, J. T. Summerlin, Greg Blankenship, Pearl Sanders and Charlie Bowman. Honorary pallbearers are Gene Herzfeld, Tommy Moore and Carl's Men's Sunday School Class.