Oh my God. I'm so sad to see that Mike has passed away. :( He was my very first boyfriend (we were naive 14-year-olds when we met) and he was so very kind when my father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 44 when I was 15. Mike dearly loved his sisters, Kathy and Maureen (which we always thought was such a bizarre coincidence since my name is Maureen and my sister's name is Kathy). When I last saw him at one of our reunions (10 year/20 year?), it was obvious he deeply loved his wife who proudly stood by his side, and he beamed with pride when speaking of his children. Mike had a heart as big as the all outdoors and will surely be missed by those who love him. RIP, Mike.
Sad to read of Mike's death. He was everybody's friend because he was friendly to everyone. I remember he was a finalist for ASB President and should have won! Mike was a natural leader, athlete and academic standout. He will not be forgotten by this Argonaut.
Maureen and Scott said it well, Mike was an allround good guy, he was always positive and made you feel special, just talking to him, a "Gentle Giant" to use a cliche. I have fond memories of Mike, comparing notes before and after tests in Mr. Uranichs class...loved ya Mike.
After GGHS, got a chance to see Mike on several occasions. Michelle and I had him to dinner at our Tustin apt. when we were both in our 3rd yr of LBSU. He lived in Sonoma at the time. He was ,as always, gregarious and extroverted. It was not until a reunion (10 or 20) that we saw him again, and than ...
I played football on the same teams as Mike and together we went through ALL the drills and sweat together. We pounded on each other for years and bruised each other up as was required when you played for Coach Isaac. Games on Fri/Sat were special,cuz' that's when you got to beat up on someone other than your friends and teammates.
Early in 67, Mike got his license, and had a convertible. He encouraged me to ask Michelle Peck out on a double date(he was going with Maureen Hassard) After a lot of encouragement, I finally did, and that was a MAJOR beginning in my life!(some 43 + yrs later, we r still going strong) We went to Southern Hills Minature Golf(Beach Blvd), the Wax Museum(Buena Park) and then to Mauri's for pizza. I could barely eat one piece of pizza, the girls about the same, and Mike took care of the rest. I'm not kidding, that boy could eat!!! After the date, Mike told me I owed him gas money and told me it was $2.00. Gas was about 25cents a gallon, so that was 8 gal. of gas. I doubt we drove 20 miles. Best $2 I ever spent!!! 2 months later we went on a double date to an Angels baseball game and then to D-Land for a private party(It was April 15th. I know cuz that's when I asked Michelle to go steady with me.)
To those who knew Mike, knew what you saw was real. He had a great heart and was a joy to be around. To his family and close friends, know that I will always have a smile in my heart when I think of Mike Blankenship. He's one of the special people God has allowed me to share life with in this worldly journey. He is missed, but he still remains! Kent Rasmussen
Mike's family lived on the same block as mine, and I remember him from elementary school all the way through graduation at GGHS. I am so sorry to learn of his death.
Maureen Hassard (Phraner) (1969)
Oh my God. I'm so sad to see that Mike has passed away. :( He was my very first boyfriend (we were naive 14-year-olds when we met) and he was so very kind when my father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 44 when I was 15. Mike dearly loved his sisters, Kathy and Maureen (which we always thought was such a bizarre coincidence since my name is Maureen and my sister's name is Kathy). When I last saw him at one of our reunions (10 year/20 year?), it was obvious he deeply loved his wife who proudly stood by his side, and he beamed with pride when speaking of his children. Mike had a heart as big as the all outdoors and will surely be missed by those who love him. RIP, Mike.Scott Hoganson (1969)
Sad to read of Mike's death. He was everybody's friend because he was friendly to everyone. I remember he was a finalist for ASB President and should have won! Mike was a natural leader, athlete and academic standout. He will not be forgotten by this Argonaut.John Farrow (1969)
Maureen and Scott said it well, Mike was an allround good guy, he was always positive and made you feel special, just talking to him, a "Gentle Giant" to use a cliche. I have fond memories of Mike, comparing notes before and after tests in Mr. Uranichs class...loved ya Mike.
Kent Rasmussen (1969)
After GGHS, got a chance to see Mike on several occasions. Michelle and I had him to dinner at our Tustin apt. when we were both in our 3rd yr of LBSU. He lived in Sonoma at the time. He was ,as always, gregarious and extroverted. It was not until a reunion (10 or 20) that we saw him again, and than ...
I played football on the same teams as Mike and together we went through ALL the drills and sweat together. We pounded on each other for years and bruised each other up as was required when you played for Coach Isaac. Games on Fri/Sat were special,cuz' that's when you got to beat up on someone other than your friends and teammates.
Early in 67, Mike got his license, and had a convertible. He encouraged me to ask Michelle Peck out on a double date(he was going with Maureen Hassard) After a lot of encouragement, I finally did, and that was a MAJOR beginning in my life!(some 43 + yrs later, we r still going strong) We went to Southern Hills Minature Golf(Beach Blvd), the Wax Museum(Buena Park) and then to Mauri's for pizza. I could barely eat one piece of pizza, the girls about the same, and Mike took care of the rest. I'm not kidding, that boy could eat!!! After the date, Mike told me I owed him gas money and told me it was $2.00. Gas was about 25cents a gallon, so that was 8 gal. of gas. I doubt we drove 20 miles. Best $2 I ever spent!!! 2 months later we went on a double date to an Angels baseball game and then to D-Land for a private party(It was April 15th. I know cuz that's when I asked Michelle to go steady with me.)
To those who knew Mike, knew what you saw was real. He had a great heart and was a joy to be around. To his family and close friends, know that I will always have a smile in my heart when I think of Mike Blankenship. He's one of the special people God has allowed me to share life with in this worldly journey. He is missed, but he still remains! Kent Rasmussen
Rosemary Smith (West) (1969)
Mike's family lived on the same block as mine, and I remember him from elementary school all the way through graduation at GGHS. I am so sorry to learn of his death.