James R. Blankenship II, 61, of Corvallis, passed away Friday, July 3, 2015 at his home. He was born Aug. 25, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, the son of the late James R. and Noline D. Blankenship.
Jim grew up in California, where his father was a California Highway Patrolman; after moving several times during his childhood Jim graduated from Enterprise High School in Redding, California in 1971. During the following two summers Jim worked for the California Division of Forestry.
Jim moved to Pullman, Washington where he attended Washington State University. While in Pullman, Jim worked for the Whitman County Sheriff's Office. While attending Washington State University, Jim started as a resident firefighter with the Pullman Fire Department.
In 1976, Jim moved to Wenatchee, Washington to join the Wenatchee Fire Department, where he obtained the rank of Battalion Chief. On June 23, 1979 he married Rhea L. Delaney in Wenatchee, Washington.
In 1987, they moved to Graham, Washington, where Jim was Fire Chief for Pierce County Fire District 21 until his retirement in 1993. Jim later worked for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources in wildland fire and recreation management. In 2004, Jim moved to Montana where he started working for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in wildland fire training, prevention and investigations. In recent years Jim also served on the Western Montana Incident Management Team.
In 2008, Jim joined the Corvallis Rural Fire District as a volunteer firefighter and later served as the Department Training Officer. Starting in 2009, Jim served as a Trustee for the Corvallis Rural Fire Department.
During his life Jim served on many boards and was a member of many organizations, including: Washington State Fire Chief's Association, Pierce County Fire Chief's Association, Fire Department Safety Officer Association, Montana State Fire Chief's Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, Advisory Board for Montana State Fire Service Training Services, Member of the All Hazard Incident Command Team Association, Keep Montana Green, American Red Cross, and Ducks Unlimited.
Jim is survived by his wife Rhea of 36 years; his son James and fiancée Kristen of Spokane, Washington; his sister Jane Winning and husband Bob Winter of Chowchilla, California, his sister Jan and husband Ron Geib of Oakdale, California; two nieces and three nephews.
Jim dedicated his life to the fire community and leaves behind many grieving family, friends and colleagues. A memorial service and celebration of Jim's life will be held at 2:00 pm on July 13th at the Performing Arts Center - Hamilton High School, 327 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana. Fire Service members are requested to wear their dress uniform.
For fire agencies bringing fire apparatus, staging opens at 1030 hours at Corvallis RFD Station 1, 317 Woodside Cutoff Road, in Corvallis. Check-in on Gold (153.9050). A reception will follow immediately after the conclusion of the service at Corvallis RFD Station 1.
Emergency Services members who wish to staff the 24/7 vigil at the funeral home should contact Chaplain Alvin Hendrickson, Victor Fire & Rescue at 406-217-2060.
Cards and condolences may be sent to Rhea and the family in care of the Corvallis RFD, PO Box 13, Corvallis, MT 59828. If you wish to make a donation to the family, you may send it to the following:
~ Any Branch of the Family of Banks
~ Ravalli County Bank, 224 W. Pinckney St., PO Box 150, Hamilton, MT 59840