GARRETT COOPER BLANKENSHIP

of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away on December 15, 2020 after a brief battle with liver disease. He was 41.

Garrett was born to Gary Blankenship and Ava Joy (Alexander) Napier on October 13, 1979 in Louisville, Ky. He graduated from North Little Rock High School and received two Associates Degrees from University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College. He always felt very fortunate to have been a stay at home dad over the last five years.

Garrett is survived by his wife Rhonda (Runnells) and their five children, Cassidy (20), Abigail (19), Lanie (16), Cooper (13) and Elijah (12). He also leaves behind his father, Gary Blankenship of North Little Rock Arkansas, his mother Ava Joy (Alexander) Napier of Michie, Tennessee and his sisters Rachael (Blankenship) and Craig Rossiter of Sydney, Australia, Nicole (Blankenship) Thomas of Wilmington, N. C., and his nieces and nephews, Lennon, Mackenzie, Ella, Aullie, Peri and Layne.

Garrett is preceded in death by his grandparents Basil and Trena Blankenship, Roy and Martha Alexander and his aunt Ingrid Blankenship.

Garrett’s love and dedication to his wife, children and family outshone anything else in his life. Be it short family holidays, going to see their favourite band as a family, trips to the zoo or just being together at the house, his family was his first love.

If ever there was a close second passion in his life, it was football. He had great joy watching his sons play ball and discovered a love for coaching over the last few years as he coached the Elite Central Arkansas Spartans.

There will be a memorial service for Garrett in the coming weeks that will be announced through his family.

Please visit www.SmithFamilyCares.com for guest register.