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BORN
1932
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
George Blankenship Obituary
George Henry Blankenship, Ph.D., 87, of Poteau passed away Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in Fort Smith. George was born Sept. 29, 1932, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Billy and 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 and step stools from repurposed materials. George was a chief peanut brittle consumer and an expert homemade ice cream maker. He served in various capacities in local government, civil service and 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; children, Karen Sue Blankenship Gross (Jeff), George Randall Blankenship (Gay) and Georgette Elaine Blankenship Teekel (Shane); stepchildren, Lyndell Kern Bezet (Neal), Jan Kern Miller (Tom), Artie Kern Smith (Myron) and Arthur J. Kern (Suzette); his 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 and Matthew Grant Teekel; stepgrandchildren, Mistie B. Stephens (Bruce), Kristie B. Hornsby (Starr), Aubrey M. Myers (Troy), David Dearman (Megan), Alex Kern (Lauren) and 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 and Lorelei Margaret Gross; great-stepgrandchildren, Chris Stephens, Riley Hornsby Nunez, Hudson Hornsby, Chapman Hornsby, Stella Hornsby, Graham Myers and Hinton Dearman; stepgreat-great-grandchild, Lynnon Nunez; as well as his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and stepnieces and -nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Jerry Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Vaughn Cemetery in Gilmore, Okla. Arrangements are under the direction of Evans and Miller Funeral Home in Poteau.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Blankenship, Andrew Gross, Adam Gross, Alex Kern, David Dearman.
Honorary pallbearers are Butch Gilstrap, Dewey Shoup, Conroy Martin, Vern Martin, Martin Bosco and Myron Smith.
The family will be at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. Thursday to visit with relatives and friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Blankenship
Sponsored by Evans & Miller Funeral Homes - Poteau.
Kia Wallace
September 23, 2025
I will always remember Mr Blankenship. He taught me a lot while under his wing and I loved listening to him share stories about his life.
Kia Wallace
April 27, 2024
There are some people you meet in life that you never ever forget.. He was one of those souls.. I´m so glad I was blessed with his presence.. I was able to share that time with him and give him his flowers many years ago. Sincerely
Mike & Lisa Lawrence
November 16, 2019
So sorry to hear of George's passing. Didn't see the obituary until tonight 11/16. Please convey condolences to Verl and family. Hope she is doing well. We danced with both George and Verl many years. Such a sweet couple.
Treba Shore Patin
November 10, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
Julie Hubert
November 7, 2019
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked for Mr. George at Blankenship drugs in Baker, La. and he was a great person. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
John Grady Brown
November 6, 2019
The Blankenship Family,
Sorry to read the news of Mr. George, what a great man. I do remember the days of Blankenship Drug Store and the over the hill coffee club, what great days it was in Baker.
Our prayers are with this family.
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Memorial Events
for George Blankenship
Nov
7
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Evans & Miller Funeral Homes - Poteau411 Dewey Ave. P.O. Box 897, Poteau, OK 74953
Nov
8
Funeral service
1:00 p.m.
Evans & Miller Funeral Homes - Poteau411 Dewey Ave. P.O. Box 897, Poteau, OK 74953
Funeral services provided by:
Evans & Miller Funeral Homes - Poteau411 Dewey Ave. P.O. Box 897, Poteau, OK 74953
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