John Byron Blankenship, 62, of Barnardsville, NC passed away unexpectedly, October 1, 2025. He was born on May 27, 1963, to the late Freneau and Lanelle Wells Blankenship. He lived in Barnardsville most of his life and lived in Raleigh for a short time.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Oscar F. and Margaret Whittemore Blankeship; maternal grandparents, Ladd and Blanche Melton Wells; great paternal grandparents, James Merrit and Etta Haynes Blankenship; great maternal grandparents, Charles "Lum" and Martha Anders Whittemore; and his brother, Mark Wells Blankenship.

John was a graduate of North Buncombe High School and graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace and Computer engineering.

John is survived by several cousins.

No services are planned at this time.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.