George Henry Blankenship, PhD, 87, of Poteau, OK passed
away Monday, November 4, 2019 in Ft. Smith, AR.
George was born September 29, 1932 in Wichita Falls, TX to Billy &
Bessie Mae (Tasker) Blankenship. George
graduated from Loyola University Pharmacy School. He owned and operated a successful pharmacy
in Baker, LA for many years before moving to Poteau in 2005 where he continued
to practice pharmacy in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. He was especially adept at building tables
& step stools from repurposed materials.
George was a chief peanut brittle consumer, an expert homemade ice cream
maker. He served in various capacities
in local government, civil service, church and community organizations. He was an honorary member of the Baker
Over-the-Hill Coffee Club. He was
preceded in death by his sister, Florence Blankenship and his parents.
Survivors include his spouse, Verl Dougherty Blankenship; his children, Karen Sue Blankenship Gross
(Jeff), George Randall Blankenship (Gay), Georgette Elaine Blankenship Teekel
(Shane); stepchildren, Lyndell Kern Bezet (Neal), Jan Kern Miller (Tom), Artie
Kern Smith (Myron), Arthur J. Kern (Suzette); grandchildren, Andrew Stephen
Gross, Adam Christopher Gross, Ashley Elizabeth Gross Davis, Meriget
Blankenship Wilbur, Jonathan Randall Blankenship, Timothy James Blankenship,
Shane Lee Teekel Jr., Allison Colleen Teekel, Joshua William Teekel, Matthew
Grant Teekel; step grandchildren, Mistie B. Stephens (Bruce), Kristie B.
Hornsby (Starr), Aubrey M. Myers (Troy), David Dearman (Megan), Alex Kern
(Lauren), Tara Kern; great grandchildren, Tyler Stephen Gross, Riley Lane
Gross, Caroline Elizabeth Gross, Noah Douglas Davis, Eli Douglas Gross, Claire
Elizabeth Gross, Isabella Meriget Blankenship, Lorelei Margaret Gross; great
step grandchildren, Chris Stephens, Riley Hornsby Nunez, Hudson Hornsby,
Chapman Hornsby, Stella Hornsby, Graham Myers, Hinton Dearman; step great great grandchild, Lynnon Nunez; his
sisters & brother, Billie Ann Blankenship Taylor, Francis Glenn
Blankenship, Jack Floyd Blankenship;
nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, step nieces and nieces.
Services will be 1 pm, Friday, November 8, 2019 at Evans Chapel of
Memories, Poteau, OK with Jerry Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Vaughn Cemetery,
Gilmore, OK. Pallbearers will be
Jonathan Blankenship, Andrew Gross, Adam Gross, Alex Kern, David Dearman. Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Gilstrap,
Dewey Shoup, Conroy Martin, Vern Martin, Martin Bosco and Myron Smith.
The family will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening
from 5-7 pm to visit with relatives & friends.
RIP ��������❤️
ReplyDeleteMr George was fine man. I going to the store in Baker and he was always laughing and helping everyone. Never forget the many times he would open the store for my parents to get our prescriptions filled. Always had the sucks for us at the counter. GOD has gained a special man! He was loved and will be missed! GOD BLESS! RIP MR GEORGE!
ReplyDeleteSorry to here of Mr George passing. Prayers and condolences from all of us. Fond memories of him and family from my youth days in Baker!
ReplyDeleteGeorge Blankenship was my first employer. He often met customers at his store all hours of day or night if someone badly needed medication. Always cheerful, jovial. My condolences to his family and close friends.
ReplyDeleteRandall Newsom
Baton Rouge, LA
Mr. George was on of the finest me I’ve ever known. He took care of me as a child and my children with all our pharmacy needs. He was lived by the citizens of Baker and our prayers are with his family!
ReplyDeleteMike Knaps