TITLE: In memory of Dr. Billy Jim Blankenship of Corpus Christi.

SUMMARY: In memory of Dr. Billy Jim Blankenship of Corpus Christi.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A full and generous life came to an end with the passing of Dr. Billy Jim "Doc" Blankenship of Corpus Christi, who died on October 22, 2010, at the age of 82; and WHEREAS, A fifth-generation Texan, Billy J. Blankenship was born in Longview on February 13, 1928, to John Oscar and Jimmie Sunshine Blankenship; he grew up in Mineola, where he was a member of the Boy Scouts and lettered in track and football; he demonstrated his extraordinary spirit at an early age, as he rescued an elderly woman from her burning house and was recommended for a Carnegie Medal for Heroism; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth at the age of 16, Mr. Blankenship entered North Texas Agricultural College and joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps; he enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine at 17, and a year later transferred to the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific for two years; after his military service, he returned to the merchant marine, sailing around the world five times before the age of 21; and WHEREAS, In 1951, Mr. Blankenship resumed his education, earning two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree from Stephen F. Austin State College; during his college years, he was joined in matrimony to the former Carolyn Keeling, and they enjoyed a fulfilling relationship that endured until his death and were the parents of three daughters, Roberta, Jimmie, and Jean; and WHEREAS, Dr. Blankenship received his dental degree from The University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston in 1958, and in 1963 he earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, with a specialty in oral and maxillofacial surgery; during the course of a long and successful career, he worked on the staffs of 40 hospitals and published 150 scientific articles; he taught full-time and part-time for a total of 21 years, and he retired as a professor of surgery from The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio; and WHEREAS, This patriotic American dedicated much of his life to his work as a military doctor, starting with service as a dental officer with the U.S. Naval Reserve and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; he later became a battalion surgeon for the USMCR, and in 1966 he volunteered for service in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat; after working as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force Reserve, he returned to active duty in the navy in 1974, serving as medical officer on submarines, division surgeon for the Marines on Okinawa, director of clinical services at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, and senior naval medical officer with the European Command of the U.S. Army, among other postings; he retired from the navy at the rank of captain; and WHEREAS, Dr. Blankenship's outstanding service to his country was recognized with 55 military decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal; he was also the recipient of a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Department of State, a postdoctoral fellowship from the U.S. Public Health Service, and a certificate of humanitarian service from the American Heart Association; and WHEREAS, This dynamic individual also found time to participate in a number of commercial enterprises over the years, including farming and ranching, the oil and gas industry, real estate, and the restaurant business, among many others; he was a trained pilot, deep-sea diver, and parachutist, and he visited all 50 states and 90 foreign countries, including three tours as a medical missionary in Central America; in retirement, he became a beloved member of the Padre Island community; and WHEREAS, "Doc" Blankenship lived a life of high adventure and extraordinary achievement, and throughout all his travels, he dedicated himself to the relief of suffering and the service of his nation, enjoying the love and support of his family and earning the deep and lasting respect of all who knew him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Billy Jim Blankenship and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Blankenship; to his daughters, Roberta Soward and her husband, Fred, and Jean Ann Paluseo and her husband, Jeff; to his grandchildren, Jackson Soward, Cassidy Soward, Jayden Paluseo, Journey Paluseo, and Jazlyn Paluseo; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Billy Jim Blankenship. Hunter Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 142 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House