Charles "Bud" Blankenship

August 18, 1945 - May 4, 2022

Charles “Bud” Blankenship, 76, passed away May 4, 2022.  He was born August 18, 1945 in Buffalo, Missouri to the late Marion and Georgia (Evans) Blankenship.  He spent most of his childhood time at his Aunt and Uncle's farm, Helen (Shelenhamer) and the late John "Junior" Nimmo, learning his early ranching skills. Bud came to Sarasota in the 80’s from Buffalo, Missouri.  He was a God-fearing man who worshipped on the back of a horse.  A proud member of the Missouri Foxtrotter Association, he was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2015.  He was a true cowboy in every sense and unparalleled with horses.  He “gave it his all” in life, work, and family. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 17 years, Tori; daughter, Emily Milligan; son, Daniel Milligan and his wife Shannon; sister, Nancy Davidson and her husband Allen; and grandchildren, Leonardo, Camilo, Willa and Noah. Services and burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Buffalo, Missouri under the direction of Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home.  Day and time will be announced soon.  A celebration of life will be held in Sarasota, Florida at Blankenship Stables.  Day and time to be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bud’s honor to Tidewell Hospice at www.tidewellhospice.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.  Memories and condolences may be left online at www.MFHcares.com.