Donald Ray Blankenship

Donald Raye Blankenship of Wichita Falls, Texas, passed away on October 24, 2025, at the age of 87. Born December 18, 1937, in Seymour, Baylor County, he was the son of Abraham Lincoln and Faye Elizabeth (Thornhill) Blankenship.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 45 years, Mary Sue Blankenship (Hadden Jones); his grandson Adrian Jones; and his nephew Steven Blankenship.

Donald is survived by his children and their families: daughter Annthinette Faucett and husband Chris of Wichita Falls; and daughter Danette Russo and husband Thom of Wichita Falls; and daughter Teresa Nixon of Flower Mound; Wess Jones of Flower Mound: He is also survived by his brother Mike and Joan Blankenship of Arlington, three nephews, a niece, and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

His grandchildren include Holly and Jeff Studer, Courtney and Brannon Clayton, Kelsey & Jacob Peyton, Shanna & Jake Jones, Hunter Jones and Daniel Russo and Bekah Russo — and 10 great grandchildren all of whom were a well-loved part of his daily conversation and his supply of jokes.

Donald’s working life began early. At 15, after being chided by his uncles for asking his dad for a quarter, he got a job at M-Systems grocery store. By 18 he became the butcher and quickly became store manager and finally part owner and carried that pride in workmanship through his life. In 1975 he founded Catfish Haven. In 1981 he founded Goldcreations; and moved to Wichita Falls, where it continues to flourish under the care of Danette and Thom. They have several of his bronzes on display. They are also on display at the Kemp center for the Arts and Baylor County Museum and countless collectors in and around north Texas.

Art and creating were in Donald’s bones from the beginning. After suffering rheumatic fever at 12, he began drawing and carving — a horse here, an interlocking chain from a broom handle there — and moved on to work in bronze, gold, silver, wax, engraving on glass, and clay. Goldcreations grew out of that lifelong curiosity and skill. Donald loved teaching others the trades he learned and would answer a question quickly — often with an answer you didn’t want to hear — then come back later with a more thoughtful answer. We will miss that.

Donald had great passions. His faith: he accepted Christ at age 12. Later in life, he spoke honestly about his mistakes while pointing to the redemption, reconciliation, and restoration available through Jesus. As he put it in a note to his children, “Turn your life to the man upstairs (Jesus) every morning for that day.” He lived the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” — and embodied the hard, beautiful work of making things right.

In 1959 Donald married Rebecca Bryan McIlwain of Munday, Texas, and together they raised Annthinette and Danette. Donald and Rebecca’s passion for art grew. In 1978 he married Mary Sue (Hadden) Jones of Olney — the girl he’d fallen for in sixth grade. Donald and Sue built a beautiful and welcoming home where anyone who walked in could expect a laugh, a lecture, and a generous plate of homemade food.

His art! He delighted in the craft of “making” — whether it be a custom designed piece of jewelry or a life-sized bronze sculpture down to a sculpture which fits into the shell of a walnut.

He loved to question Pastor Craig about Scripture and then translate those conversations into his artwork. He was always learning, always mentoring, always dreaming, always thinking about his next project. He had five projects in his mind at the time of his death.

Donald was aware of his faults. He made mistakes — often loudly and sometimes hilariously — but his life was a testament to restoration and generosity. He sought to repair what was broken, and he showed his family what it looked like to be reconciled.

A celebration of Donald’s life will be Tuesday November 4th at 10:30 am at Faith Baptist Church Wichita Falls. A lunch will be provided at noon for the family. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Masonic Cemetery in Seymour under the direction of Archer Funeral Home.

Following the graveside service in Seymour, the family will travel back to the Texoma Cowboy Church, 919 US-281, Wichita Falls, TX 76310 for fellowship and refreshments.

The family asks that friends honor Donald by performing a small act of generosity, call someone you’ve been meaning to call, share a meal or give forgiveness with the same measure you want forgiveness given to you.