Thomas Leron Blanks' Obituary
Having finished his course, a rich life full of faith, family and friends, reflecting the love of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Thomas Leron Blanks passed away peacefully on June 30, 2020. Leron—Papa to his grandchildren—was born in Dallas on July 31, 1941 to Mary Sue and Roy Blanks. He was a graduate of Sunset High School and North Texas State University.
But his story of life and love began long before that. At the age of 8, Leron met the love of his life, Nancy Ellen Peeler. After marrying on June 15, 1962, Leron and Nancy began their life together. Nancy’s constant support and counsel helped Leron rise to the top of the printing industry in Dallas. Beginning by learning the manufacturing side of the family company, then known as Blanks Engraving Co., Leron moved into estimating and sales before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 1978. By 1982, he had purchased 100% ownership of what is now known as Blanks Printing & Imaging, Inc. leading the company for the rest of his life, through monumental technological changes in the printing and prepress industry. Today, Blanks continues as a leading employer in West Dallas, a lasting legacy of Leron’s dedication to his customers and employees. In recognition of his leadership in business, Leron served on the Advisory Board for Frost Bank and on the Board for the Southwest Prepress Association, was named Printing Industry of America Mid-America Executive of the Year in 2017, and was given the Legends Award by the West Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Leron was baptized at Edgefield Church of Christ shortly after marrying Nancy, and they both became active members at Prestoncrest Church of Christ after they moved their young family from Oak Cliff to north Dallas in 1972. Leron served as a Bible school teacher, including Bible Credit Courses, a Deacon, and finally as a beloved Elder for more than 20 years. He was so proud of Prestoncrest’s ministry to the homeless under the bridges east of downtown Dallas and most recently served as Chair of Prestoncrest’s Reopening Task Force.
If you knew Leron, you know that he did everything with passion and excellence, and to win. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, but golf was his true passion. He began as a young man, playing on the golf teams at Sunset and North Texas, then at his home clubs of Oak Cliff, Bent Tree, and Gleneagles Country Clubs, winning the Club Championship at Bent Tree in 1973. Even through two bouts with lymphoma starting in 2012, Leron never missed an opportunity to play with family and friends, showing perseverance and an unmatched competitive drive while defeating cancer.
But Leron was proudest of his family, whom he loved with God’s love and led with the Holy Spirit. He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 58 years, and their two children: Lisa Sue Pipkin and husband Mike of University Park, and Jeff Blanks and wife Crystal of Plano. Also surviving him are his five grandchildren: Hunter Blanks, Michael Pipkin, Mary Ellen Sorrell and husband Ben, Todd Blanks, and Molly Blanks. He was preceded in death by his brother Lyman Blanks and is survived by his twin brother LeRoy Blanks and wife Anita, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Prestoncrest Church of Christ, 6022 Preston Crest Lane, in Dallas. To accommodate those who are unable to attend in person, the Celebration of Life will be live streamed on Prestoncrest Church of Christ’s YouTube channel. For those attending in person, social distancing and face coverings are required. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider contributing in his memory to the Leron Blanks Memorial Children’s Ministry Renovation Fund at Prestoncrest Church of Christ.
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