Tuesday, November 5, 2019

George Blankenship


          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.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

RIP ��������❤️

Debbie Kelly McNeer said...

Mr 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!

Unknown said...

Sorry 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!

Randall Newsom said...

George 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.

Randall Newsom
Baton Rouge, LA

Mike Knaps said...

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!
Mike Knaps