Alderson L. Blankenship, Jr., 89 years of age of Keen Mountain, VA, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2020 at his home. Born July 17, 1931 in Mohawk, WV, he was the son of the late Alderson L. Blankenship, Sr., and Allie Fuller Blankenship. Alderson was a United States Army Veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict, a retired construction worker, an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He enjoyed visiting people and handing out candy and was affectionately known as The Candy Man. He was of the Baptist faith, a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his brother Kerwin Blankenship. Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-nine years Jo Eunice Edwards Blankenship of Keen Mountain, VA; daughters Sharon Fletcher of Abingdon, VA, Terri Elswick of Keen Mountain, VA; sons Jerry Blankenship and wife Tracy of Abingdon, VA, Sam Blankenship and wife Joyce of Bristol, TN; sister Beatrice Viers and husband Hubert of New Castle, VA; brother Doc “D. L.” Blankenship and wife Karen of Brooklyn, IA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Bridget Elswick, Derek Fletcher, Kayla Clarke, Linsey Fletcher, Aaron Blankenship, Justin Blankenship, Jason Blankenship, Gari Jo Elswick and Dalton Elswick, great-grandchildren Emma Clarke, Sam Clarke, Kate Clarke, Sloane Blankenship and Nora Blankenship; several nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service for Alderson L. Blankenship, Jr., will be held at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel of Keen Mountain, VA, Monday, August 10, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Mickey Hale and Brother Pete Minton officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Gardens Mausoleum, Claypool Hill, VA. Active pallbearers will be his family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of The American Legion John Ratliff Post # 164 and VFW Child Gentry Post # 7360. The family will receive friends at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel of Keen Mountain, VA, Sunday, August 9th after 6:00 p.m. Online condolences may be viewed at www.shortridgeramey.com. The family of Alderson L. Blankenship, Jr., have entrusted the care of their loved one to Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Keen Mountain, VA.