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James Blankenship Obituary
SHREVEPORT, LA - James Gilmour (Jim) Blankenship, 80, formerly of Houston, Texas, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2008.
Jim was born in the small coal-mining town of Jenkins, Kentucky on October 16, 1928 to Liz and Henry Blankenship. He was the fourth of seven children that included his brothers, Bill and Hubert, and his sisters, Margie, Mable, Clara and Sylvia. In 1951, after graduating high school, Jim served in the 5th Army Calvary. Following Boot Camp in Breckenridge, Kentucky, he was deployed to Japan. After a short stay in Japan, Jim was sent to Imjim, Korea where he served as a Combat Medic. Following his service in the Army, Jim attended the University of Kentucky, earning a degree as a Geophysicist. Jim worked for several well-known oil companies after graduation, including Pan American Oil Company, Mesa Petroleum, and Seagull Energy. His work took him from New Orleans, to Canada and many places in between. Jim became a specialist in oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon his retirement in 1993 from Seagull Energy, Seagull President Barry J. Galt praised his contributions saying, "He joined us in 1987 just as we were re-establishing our exploratory efforts after several years of relative inactivity. Our exploratory record since 1987 speaks for itself and Jim Blankenship is certainly one of the principal architects of that success."
Early in his career, while in Shreveport working for Pan American, he met Peggy, who he married in 1959. Jim was a much-loved stepfather to Peggy's two boys, Mike and David Terry, of Shreveport, Louisiana. Eventually Jim and Peggy had three children of their own, James, Leanne and Shannon. The family of five eventually settled in Houston, Texas.
Jim is survived by his wife of 49 years, Peggy; his children and their spouses, James Gary Blankenship, Leanne and Mike Garcia, Shannon and Keith Priddy, Mike Terry and David and Currey Terry; and five beautiful grandchildren, Kate Terry, Beth Terry, Frank Priddy, K.C. Priddy and Presley Priddy.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 18, 2008, at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Chapel. Officiating will be Chaplain Lois Fraser of St. Joseph Hospice. Interment will follow in Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue.
Honoring Jim, as pallbearers will be Mike Terry, David Terry, James Gary Blankenship, Mike Garcia, Keith Priddy and Jake Patty. Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Marshall St. Chapel 222-0348
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Blankenship
Leanne Blankenship Garcia
January 7, 2009
Thank you all for your special comments and stories. It's wonderful to see so many people remembering him, loving him and missing him like we do. All the best.
James Blankenship
January 5, 2009
Thanks to everyone that entered these kind words about my Dad. We will all miss him. Sincerely, James Gary Blankenship
Marsha Bower
December 28, 2008
I worked with Jim at Seagull and he was always such a joy to talk to and be with. What a generous man who will long be remembered by many ex-Seagull employees. My deepest sympathies to the entire Blankenship family.
Harold Hartman
December 22, 2008
Peggy and Family,
I am sorry to hear of Jim's passing. It was a great experience working with him at both Mesa and Seagull. Our prayers are with you.
Judi Leinhardt-Newlands
December 19, 2008
Dear Peggy and Family,
I was privileged to work for Jim at YCL Resources, and for the time he was at Sohio. He brought so much life to the business world - and imparted so much knowledge to all. His sense of humor lives on - I cannot eat at a restaurant and hear "Enjoy Your Meal", without hearing Jim say "No, I think I'll eat here instead". He leaves a very large empty place at the table. It was a privilege to have known him
Brenda Fulkerson
December 18, 2008
Peggy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. He was a wonderful person and I enjoyed working for him at Seagull. My prayers are with you.
Steve Combs
December 18, 2008
Jim. My sympathy goes out to you and your family. May the Lord keep you and your family close to him. You remember when I lost my dad. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Tom Wilkinson
December 17, 2008
Peggy, Jim, Leanne and Shannon,
Think only of the good times - there were so many over such a long period. Jim's passing seems like the end of an era to me.
I am praying for all of you.
Lynn Wilkes
December 17, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Claudette Hunt
December 17, 2008
Jim,
You have my prayers during this time of sorrow. May God give you and your family strenght as you encourage each other.
K.E. KAUFMAN
December 17, 2008
Jim and Family,
Thinking of you and we are all so sorry for your loss. I know you were very close to your Dad. He will be missed but he is in a safe place. God bless...
K.E. KAUFMAN
KLEIN ISD AEP
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud
December 17, 2008
The Final Salute
“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to James Gilmour Blankenship our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Jim. And to Jim it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Korean War while serving in the U.S. Army. Jim, we bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,409 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Jim’s family and loved ones.
Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
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