BLANKENSHIP, Jack Robinson - b. February 15, 1924 - d. May 28, 2020

[patyrn]

Jack Robinson Blankenship, age 96, of Fall River, Kansas, passed away on May 28, 2020 at Via Christi-St.Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.  He was born on February 15, 1924 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Claude and Alta (Robinson) Blankenship.  Jack took his first and last breath at St. Francis Hospital.

Jack grew up in Fall River, Kansas with his parents, and they had a local gas station and farm where they sold eggs at the local train station.  Jack worked as a paper boy, saving his money to buy his first clarinet. He had a love for music by learning to play the piano, trumpet, and clarinet.   Jack worked for a short time at Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita where he met his love, Helen (Thome) Wolford, and they were married in Wichita on November 29, 1959.  They were married for 61 years until Helen's passing in 2011.

Jack had a love for farming the ground and raising cattle, swine, and chickens.  He was very talented in making equipment by welding and manufacturing almost anything he needed on the farm.  He taught his children how to make auto repairs by using resources that were available on the farm.  If there was a way, he would find it to fix almost anything.  He also had a love of flying.  He was a licensed pilot that used his plane mostly for pleasure.  He introduced all of his children to flying.

Jack always loved to go on family vacations every summer.  After the wheat harvest was done, it was time to go on vacation.  He had the love of Colorado, but the majority of the trips were always educational, to museums or historical places, always teaching his children.  He always loved riding his motorcycles and sometimes would take his motorcycle on vacation to go up trails only accessible by cycles.  He was an advent woodworker as well.  He made his own lathe and made several wood projects with each of his children. 

Jack was an active member and board member of the Fall River United Methodist Church throughout his life.  He was a back-up pianist for the church and played on multiple occasions.  When not working on the farm or taking care of his family and home, Jack was active with the Fall River City Council, Fall River 4-H Club, Fall River Booster Club, Fall River Over 55ers Club, Grand Masonic Lodge of Fall River and Neodesha, Fredonia Promenade Square Dancing Club of Fredonia, Do-Si-Do Square Dancing Club of Chanute, and the Square Stoppers Square Dancing Club of Independence.

Jack is survived by his four children, Jackie (Ronaldl) Hale of Liberty, Kansas, Kim (Joleen) Blankenship of Valley Center, Kansas, Eric (Marie) Blankenship of Carbondale, Kansas, and Melody (Ronald) Billings of Fall River, Kansas; 32 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Grace Hansen of Illinois.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, Claude and Alta Blankenship; his sister, Valasta; his baby brother; his sons, David Wolford and Alex Blankenship; and his in-laws, Arthur and Esther Secha, Susan and Ralph Thome, and Carl Hansen. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Christ Church of Neodesha, Kansas with Pastor Susan Galvan officiating.  Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, Kansas.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Loran Fawcett Funeral Home in Neodesha, Kansas.  Memorials have been suggested to the Fall River United Methodist Church nd may be left with or sent to Loran Fawcett Funeral Home, 704 Indiana Street, Neodesha, Kansas 66757 which is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.loranfawcettchapel.com.

(taken from the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home website)