CHARLES C. BLANKSON

Charles Blankson was born at home on Monday, June 12, 1944 to Jane Arthur
Blankson and Oman Ghan Blankson in Winneba, Ghana.  He was the 8th child of 11
siblings to be raised with the watchful eye of grandmother Maame Abasraba and his
older siblings.  He was endeared by his mother because of how he took on learning
about God and always doing the right thing. His father instilled in him a passion for
playing the organ for Ebenezer Methodist Church where he and his brothers grew in
faith and musical talent, which would accompany him throughout his life. 
He had his secondary education at Mfantsipim and 6th form at Pre-Sec and went to
University of Ghana, Legon for his Bachelor’s in Economics. At Legon, he was an
Organ Scholar and contributor to the Legon Observer newsletter. In Legon, he
dedicated his life to Christ as his personal savior.  Subsequently, he enrolled in Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technical for his Masters in Regional Planning, and
he assisted the Choir Director. It was through the choir that he first met the lovely
Sophia Baisie who became the love of his life.  
After a year as a research fellow, Charles spent a year at UCLA on a book project and a
year in Senegal where he worked on a project for the United Nations; utilizing his
French language skills. After returning to Ghana, he experienced what he calls the most
proud day of his life, marrying Sophia in 1975 and beginning their journey together.  
Shortly thereafter, he achieved two more significant milestones: becoming a father to his
daughter, Ekua Nayena, and a year and a half later, Araba Gyaaba.  His days were
filled with his responsibilities as a lecturer at Tech, choir director for the Protestant
Chaplaincy Choir and father to his growing family. 
After a few years, Charles was offered the chance to come to America for his graduate
studies in Urban Planning at UCLA, an opportunity he eagerly accepted. A few years
after relocating to Los Angeles in 1980, he joyfully became the father of his son,
Kobena.  During these years as a student, he worked on campus and sang in plus
assisted in leading the choir at Culver Palms United Methodist Church (UMC).  
After overcoming numerous challenges and a lot of hard work, he persevered to proudly
complete his PhD in Transportation Planning in 1989, then worked at Southern
California Associations of Governments (SCAG) for two years, then worked at the Air
Quality Management District (AQMD) as a Transportation Specialist. He relocated the
family to Fontana where he became choir director for Rancho Cucamonga UMC, then
Arlington UMC, Presbyterian Church of Ghana Grace Congregation- Riverside, and
finally Moreno Valley UMC.  He retired from AQMD in 2008 after nearly 18 years of
dedicated service to enhancing air quality across the Inland Empire. 

He was also delighted to give Ekua’s hand in marriage to Quentin Walker and Araba’s
hand to Ishmael Mensah.  He then welcomed Qiana, Bright, Evans, Kaya and Charlie
as his grandchildren.  Charles composed music for them and cherished the opportunity
to teach them his favorite pastime, tennis, during their annual family vacations.   
Another moment of pride came when Kobena married his beloved, Olga Liebl, further
expanding the family.  He was a pillar for the family and lived as a servant leader and
example for all through words and actions.
Driven by a heart to bring about improvements in his home town, Charles was the
founding president of the Awutu-Effutu Association which raised money to renovate the
Winneba Methodist Primary school and provide supplies to the Winneba Hospital in
Winneba along with other projects.  In collaboration with the Mfantseman Kuw of
Southern California they represent Southern California in the Mfantseman National
Association of North America (MANA) to contribute to additional wellbeing projects in
Ghana. He also served as a MANA past president. 
He is survived by wife Sophia Blankson, children Ekua Walker, Araba Mensah and Koby
Blankson, their spouses, five grandchildren, five siblings, and numerous extended
family members.
Psalms 23- “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”

Visitation will be Friday, April 24, 2026 in Akes Family's "Chapel of the Chimes" from 3:30pm - 7:00pm.

Funeral Service will be on Friday, April 25, 2026 at 11:00 am at Covina United Methodist Church, Covina, California.

Graveside Service will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Covina, California at 2:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

©copyright 2026 Akes Family Funeral Homes

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