Kerry Blankenship, 51, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away unexpectedly October 7, 2017. He was born August 12, 1966 in Smithville, MO to Curtis Dean and Dianna (Hurlbert) Blankenship.
Kerry was a very charismatic man and had a way of charming people. With his skills and personality, he worked at the Kansas City VA Hospital and made a great nurse. Kerry loved to make people laugh and was an avid sports fan, following the Royals and the Chiefs. Music was a major part of his life. He loved Bruce Springsteen and attended his concerts when he could. Kerry was a loving father and a hardworking man. His greatest joy in life was watching his daughter perform and furthering her career as a singer and songwriter.
Kerry is preceded in death by his father, Curtis D. Blankenship.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Emma Jo Priesendorf and husband Carl; mother, Dianna Wineinger and husband Bruce; step-mother, Bobbi Blankenship; brother, Kelly Blankenship and wife Jill; sisters, Jamie Hickox and husband Ralph, Rachael Wortman and husband Chuck, Nichole Dowd and husband Matt, Gena Studdard and husband Jerry, Kelley Lane Denney and husband Mark; close nephews, Trey Gilley and Wyatt Hickox, and many more extended family and friends.
Friends and family will gather, Tuesday, October 10, 2017 from 6-7 PM at Terrace Park Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, MO 64155. A Celebration of Life will begin at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Kerry’s name be made to the Greater Kansas Chapter American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or to the family to help offset expenses.