Curtis "Jerry" Blankenship

Curtis Lee (Jerry) Blankenship passed away on October 17, 2025 at his home with his family.

Jerry was born to Curt Porter and Nina May Lewis Blankenship in Widen, West Virginia on February 22, 1938. Jerry learned a love of the outdoors, especially fishing, from his adventures as a young boy in the hills of West Virginia. In his youth he excelled in athletics and loved playing football and basketball at his alma mater, Richwood High School as a Lumberjack. Something many didn’t know about him is that he received a scholarship to Concord College in Athens, WV to play both football and basketball. After spending a short two weeks as a college student he called home to say college wasn’t for him.

After school he joined the Marine Corp and served his time stationed first at Camp Pendleton for basic training and then Okinawa, Japan rebuilding after World War II. He learned to operate machinery during his time there and it served his future as a construction worker and then later owner and operator of Blankenship and Barton Construction. Jerry left West Virginia looking for work after returning from his service. He spent a short time in Baltimore working in a steel mill until they went on strike. He decided to travel to the West and ended up in Flagstaff, Arizona with a friend before traveling to Washington to work in the Sawmill. On one of his trips between these two places, he came through Ephraim and he ran out of money. While he earned enough to hit the road again, he met his wife while she was working at the Dairy Queen. They married on November 23, 1962 and had three daughters together.

He was a lifelong learner reading about gardening, fishing, history, and many other things. He liked sharing what he learned with his friends and family. He was generous, giving to many people without wanting acknowledgement for his charity. He loved his family and spending time with them was one of his favorite things to do. Becoming a grandparent was especially precious to him. He loved his grandchildren and relished spending time gathering at his land or fishing with them. His friends and family could always find an open chair to sit with him under his favorite tree.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jerrelyn Jensen Blankenship and three daughters, Lisa (Craig) Johnson, Nina (Bryant) Blackham, and Tara (Cory) Daniels. Grandchildren, Curtis (Kali) Blackham, Colton (Kelly) Blackham, Torie (Ryan) Nelson, Trent (Darrell) Johnson, Kylee (Kristopher) Tatton, Tiffany (Matt) Hyer, Taylor (Brok) Daniels, Trace (Seerie) Johnson, Trystan (Breanna) Daniels, Haylee (Hunter) Daniels, Hannah Daniels; and 21 great grandchildren. Also survived by his brother Mike (Donna) Blankenship and two sisters Brenda Blake and Debbie Nettles. Preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother in-law Jared and Bette Jensen, and three sisters; Alice Blankenship, Sharon Coe, Dawn Tharp, and granddaughter Trina Marie Johnson.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 10:30 am at the Ephraim Park Cemetery. Cremation services were done by Magleby Mortuary and Cremation Center. 

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary of Richfield, Salina, & Manti. Online guestbook can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com

A Special thank you to Dr. Dallin Olson and the Intermountain Hospice Team for your compassionate care.