Jack Earl Blankenship

Services will be 10 a.m. today at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Mr. Blankenship was an oil and mineral landman in the energy industry.

He is survived by one son, Mike, of Murtaugh, Idaho; three daughters, Christie Santi of Salt Lake City, Dawn Crocker of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Lisa Colaizzi of Battlement Mesa; one brother, Wayne A. Jr. of Kenner, Louisiana.

Contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kan. 66675.

Jack E. Blankenship, 88, Battlement Mesa, died June 29, 2014, at HopeWest Hospice and Care Center.

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Pkwy. A celebration of life will be 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Battlement Mesa.

Mr. Blankenship was an oil and mineral landman.

He is survived by one son, Mike of Murtaugh, Idaho; three daughters, Christie Santi of Salt Lake City, Dawn Crocker of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Lisa Colaizzi of Battlement Mesa; and one brother, Wayne A. Jr. of Kenner, Louisiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Obituary

Jack E. Blankenship was born in Chariton, Iowa February 17, 1926 to Mable and Wayne A. Blankenship. He passed away on June 29, 2014 due to complications from surgery. School years were spent in Eldora, Iowa participating in Church Choir, Boys Glee Club, Mixed Chorus and Quartet. Played cornet and bass in band. Eagle Scout. Played football, basketball and track. President of Senior Class and National Honor Society. Attended Iowa Boys State. Jack served in the Navy in WWII and the Korean War. He attended Iowa Teacher’s, Cedar Falls, Iowa; graduated from Denver University in 1949 and did post graduate work in communications at the University of Iowa. His early jobs included radio announcer, journalist, writer, news editor and his career as an Oil and Gas Landman with Amoco in Wichita, Kansas; Stanolind Oil & Gas Company, Wichita Kansas, Salt Lake City, Utah, Farmington, New Mexico, Independent Landman – Salt Lake City, Utah, Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Company, Consultant - Glenwood Springs, Denver. Memberships include Past Master Mason Kaibab No. 25, Shrine, Scottish Rite, Past Associate Guardian Jobs Daughters, Past Commander VFW, Past Member of Sheriff’s Auxiliary, Utah Oratorio Society, Community Theatre Groups, Barbershop Quartets, and Church Choirs. He always had a friendly, positive attitude, fun sense of humor, and plans for the future even during his recent hospital stay. He is survived by his brother Wayne A. Blankenship, Jr. (Lynn) New Orleans, LA; children Mike Blankenship (Patti), Chris Santi (Marty Plunkett), Dawn Crocker (Rod), and Lisa Colaizzi; grandchildren, great grandchildren, other beloved relatives and many good friends. This wonderful father, talented singer, actor, writer, golfer, skier, antique cars restorer, furniture refinisher, stained glass artist, clockmaker, joke teller, editorial writer, punster, cook, and cribbage player will be greatly missed. Thanks for the caring, wonderful treatment from everyone at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarrierproject.org. A graveside service will be held July 3, 2014 at 10:00am at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Grand Junction, Colorado. Please join us in a Celebration of his life at All Saints Episcopal Church, Battlement Mesa, Colorado from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm because Dad wanted “Beers not Tears!”.