Kenneth Blankenship

AIKEN, SC – JOHN KENNETH BLANKENSHIP, 75, beloved husband of Helen Bearden Blankenship, passed away Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022 at his residence.

Born in Bryson City, NC, Ken grew up in Richmond, VA.  He was a son of the late Johnnie W. and Kathryn Branton Blankenship.  He attended Virginia Tech before graduating from the University of Tennessee.  Ken lived in Aiken since 1982 and was a D and D Engineer with SRNS at the Savannah River Site.  He served in the Georgia Air National Guard as a pilot flying C-130’s out of Savannah, GA.  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 52 years, Helen, include his son, John K. Blankenship II (Tamara), Aiken; grandchildren, Ashlea Gore, Ashton Ervin, Brooke Blankenship, Tyler Grubbs; great-grandson, Ace Murray and a brother, Bill Blankenship (Pat), Knoxville, TN.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, April 22^nd from 5 until 7 o’clock at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) .

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC