George Henry Blankenship

1932 - 2019

George Henry Blankenship, PhD, 87, of Poteau passed away Monday, Nov. 4, in Ft. Smith, Ark. George was born September 29, 1932 in Wichita Falls, Tex. 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 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; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, step nieces and nieces.
Services will be 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, with Jerry Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Vaughn Cemetery, Gilmore. 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 p.m. to visit with relatives and friends.
You may leave an online message at evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau.You may leave an online message at evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau.