(From White Funeral Home)Gerald Dean Blankenship, otherwise known as Gary, Dad, and Grandpa, departed this earth on July 2nd, 2026 in the comfort of the Earlene Howard Circle of Life Hospice Home in Springdale, Arkansas.
Born on September 3rd, 1936 in a railroad depot in Juniata, Kansas, Gary’s life was a testament to love, laughter, and dedication to everyone he came in contact with. He never met a stranger.
Gary worked hard every single day. He graduated from high school in 1953 and then served as an Airman in the United States Air Force.
He began his career with the Santa Fe Railroad as a brakeman and conductor and retired after 43 years of service. His father also retired from Santa Fe after 46 years of service.
Gary was a man of many talents and passions. He met the love of his life, Karol, at a skating rink and they never left each other’s side. During their 68 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling to various locations, which included an annual trek to Red River, New Mexico. Gary and Karol were always more than proud of their son’s engineering career, their daughter’s registered nursing career, and their granddaughter’s teaching career.
After retirement, Gary and Karol moved to Shell Knob, Missouri where they made wonderful life-long friends who quickly became family. They spent their time going to auctions, hosting many wonderful get-togethers, cooking, landscaping and time on their pontoon boat in which they named “Lil Allie”.
Gary was a man of God and is preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) and Edna Blankenship, wife Karol Blankenship, and brothers Larry Blankenship and William Blankenship.
He is survived by his sister DeAnn and husband Sonny Poppelreiter of Holyrood, Kansas, son Brent Blankenship and wife Karen of Shell Knob, Missouri, daughter Jill Blankenship and Craig Larkin of Berryville, Arkansas, and granddaughter Allison Pedersen of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
A Celebration of Life will be held July 24, 2026, at Lohmer Full Gospel Church in Shell Knob at 2:00 pm. Pastor David Donaldson will be officiating.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life, Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, Arkansas and entrusted to White Funeral Home and Crematory.
Arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory.
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