Kenneth A. Blenkarn

Kenneth A. Blenkarn was born May 17, 1929 and died December 5, 2022. Ken was born in Amarillo, Texas but spent his childhood in the Salt Creek Oilfield of Wyoming – the earliest of those years in a very small, remote "company camp" community. His family transferred to Tulsa, and Ken spent his teen years in Tulsa schools, graduating from Central high school in 1947. College Education took place at Rice University in Houston. It was during undergraduate years that Ken met the love of his life, Marilyn McCoy. They were married in 1952 when they completed their undergraduate studies. After receiving his Engineering PhD in 1962 Ken returned to Tulsa, working his entire professional career at the Tulsa Research Center of Amoco Production Company. In 1987 he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to safe and practical systems for offshore drilling in ice-laden and deep-water environments. A prolific inventor, he was awarded more than 20 patents related to his arctic and offshore production work. He was honored as Oklahoma Inventor of the Year in 1987 by the Patent Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association. During his retirement years Ken enjoyed woodworking, reading and numerous activities through his church, Hope Unitarian in Tulsa.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn McCoy Blenkarn; his parents, William Osborn Blenkarn and Mary Farmer Blenkarn; sister-in-law, Bonnie Hall; sister-in-law Jeanne Russell and brother-in-law Bert Bleil.

Survivors include brother Douglas Blenkarn and wife Tina; daughter Margot Purdy and husband Ken; son Bruce Blenkarn and wife Melanie; five grandchildren, Brittany Craven, Lauren Sibley, Hugh Purdy, William Purdy and Connor Blenkarn; and two great granddaughters. He is also survived by sister-in-law Barbara Bleil, brother-in-law Bruce Bleil and wife Peggy; brother-in-law Charles Bleil and wife Susan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to OETA or Rice University.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tulsa World on Dec. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Blenkarn

Sponsored by Cremation Society of Oklahoma.

4 Entries

Vanessa Torluemke

December 24, 2022

Sincere Condolences. I had the pleasure of knowing Ken at Hope Church and last spoke to him after he moved to Tahlequah. I appreciated his friendship and enthusiasm for life. Thoughtful and perceptive, most of the time with humor, he was spot on all topics and shared his wisdom. A true and special gentleman.

Greg Sanza

December 19, 2022

Back in 1982, I was a fresh reservoir engineer out of school in my first work assignment at Amoco Research. Periodically, I had to review my technical work at staff meetings attended by my boss, and the VP of Research and all of his Technical Directors, of which Ken was one (Offshore Technology). I recall that as a group they collectively always asked engaging and thoughtful questions, and took a real and rather QUICK understanding to all of the technical nuances implied by my work that literally took me weeks to get my own arms around!! I remember asking somebody after one meeting, "Who exactly was that guy?" And I was told it was Ken Blenkarn, Director Offshore. For those who are not engineers, the science of offshore technology has little connection with the science of what I actually did as a reservoir engineer... involved with the flow of oil and gas through rock, miles underground! Yet, there was Ken, at the staff meetings, testing, probing, and "in the know"!! I was quite impressed!! RIP, Ken.

Michael Stein

December 18, 2022

When I began my career at Amoco Ken Blenkarn was a research director in offshore and arctic production. He directed research on vertical moored offshore platforms to produce oil and natural gas. Today his work in commonly used by the petroleum industry.

Elva Knoles

December 13, 2022

I met and worked with Ken on the Board of Directors at Hope Church. He was a delightful and kind person. When I showed an interest in woodworking he was always willing to give welcome advice. He will be missed.

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