Kenneth Stephen Blanchard

Ken was born December 5, 1916 to Carl and Nina Blanchard in Blanchard Maine, the oldest of their six children.

Raised "Down East" in the woods of north central Maine, Ken answered the call to serve his country and joined The Air Corps during World War II. While a flight instructor at Enid Army Air Field Oklahoma, he met Helen Jeanne Pulford on a blind date and they married in 1941.

Ken was assigned to the 13th Air Force Command in the South Pacific in the Philippines. After serving his time in the Air Force, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master's Degree in Geology.

After a brief stint of work with an asbestos mining company in Quebec near his childhood home, Ken went to work for Phillips Petroleum and a 26 year career with them ensued.

He spent time in their Denver, Bartlesville, Wichita Falls, Midland and Odessa offices and a six month tour in Stavangar Norway advising development of their North Sea Fields.

After his retirement in 1984 he and Jeanne moved to Rockport Texas. After 42 years of marriage, Jeanne passed away in 1986.

Ken married Betty Ann Bird in 1989 and they treasured their 12 years of marriage, their combined families and their travels, until her death in 2004.

Ken loved the time spent at his Camp at Whetstone Pond, Maine, the Boomer Sooners, the Boston Red Sox, a good cigar and of course his loving family.

He is survived by his children, son, Steve Blanchard of San Antonio, Texas and daughter Nancy Cowden and husband Price Cowden of Estes Park Colorado, Barbara Wood of San Antonio, Van Wyck Brinkerhoff III and his wife Patti of Rockport,Texas, 10 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of the assisted living unit at The Forum at Lincoln Heights where Ken spent the last five years of his life for their dedication and loving care of Mr. Blanchard.

A special thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice, especially Tracie Ruiz, whom dad loved as one of his own.

A graveside service will be held Friday October 24th at 1:00 pm at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery, Midland Texas. The service will be officiated by Reverend Lana Russell a long time family friend.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church - Guthrie Bryant Chapel, San Antonio Texas on Monday, October 27th at 10:00 am.

The family requests Memorial Contributions be made to Heart to Heart Hospice San Antonio or to a charity of your choice.