Bobby Dean Blankenship, 82, was born on November 29, 1930. He passed away on May 12 at home surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.He was preceded by his parents Lonnie & Gladys, sisters Anna Joyce and Edith Blankenship and Peggy Walsh and Father and Mother-in-Law John and Celestina Cortez and Brother-in-laws John Cortez and Edward Munoz. Bobby is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dodie, his son Gary (Sherry) Blankenship, daughters Karen (Gene) Garcia, Tammy (Rocky) Shaddy, Becky (Randy) Ehrlich, his grandchildren Dre (Juan) Santana, Gene Garcia III, Audrey (JP) Mahon, Brandon (Catie) Bell, Kristy, Tyler and Travis Shaddy, Megan and Craig Ehrlich, Mary Pepple, Elizabeth Blankenship, great-grandchildren Sebastian Garcia, Gwenyth Mahon and Alyssa and Haley Comstock, brothers Leslie and Marvin Blankenship and sister Mary Polk. Bob, a U.S. Airforce veteran, was well regarded as Yuma's top mechanic who never hesitated to lend a hand to anybody that asked. From working on a race car to a family's broken down van, Bob's legacy lives on with his family.A Celebration of Life will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church Hall (711 S. 7th Ave.) this Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m.In lieu of flowers, a donation to Hospice of Yuma and/or DAV is appreciated.