Kenneth Blan
Services celebrating and remembering the life of Kenneth Dupree Blan were held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Verdigris. Burial followed at Wofford Cemetery. Kenneth left his temporary earthly home for his permanent heavenly home on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was 89. The family entrusted DeLozier Funeral Service, Chelsea, with Kenneth’s care.
Born in LeFlore County on April 23, 1929, Kenneth was one of nine children born to Kenneth C. and Eddie Belle (Ingram) Blan. He was raised and educated in his birth community and graduated from McCurtain High School. On July 31, 1954, Kenneth married the love of his life, Gay Whitfield, in a Tulsa ceremony. Their union was gifted with three children, Kenny, Rick and Jerry. Kenneth provided for his family as an insurance salesman and went on to build his own successful independent insurance agency.
Kenneth loved the Lord and lived his life daily following the instruction that was found in God’s Word. It was because of this instruction that he excelled at being a husband and father. Kenneth and his wife attended First Baptist Church of Verdigris for over 53 years. During that time, he served as Sunday School Director and greeter. According to his family, he faithfully mailed birthday cards to his church family just to let them know he was thinking about them on their special day. Kenneth never left the house without a sport coat, his pocket size New Testament Bible and the simple plan of salvation tracts. When he could, Kenneth traveled with a group of Baptist men that would go to different communities and help build or repair churches.
Kenneth enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. It was mentioned by his family that pheasant hunting in South Dakota or running over to Oologah Lake to fish were always a special time for him. When it came to his garden, he grew tomatoes, peppers and strawberries, just to name a few. Kenneth was best known for his potato crop and would enlist, not only his sons for help, but any of their friends that might drop by the house.
Kenneth’s legacy will live on in the lives of his wife, children and grandchildren. This husband, father, Pa, brother and friend will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gay; children, Kenny Blan and wife, Sherrill, Rick Blan and wife, Roilene, and Jerry Blan and wife, Allison; grandchildren, Jason Houtman, Jennifer Stafford and husband, Steve, Ashley Rogers, Wes Blan, Stephanie Lewis and husband, Mickey, Lindsay Roman and husband, Luis, Alexis Vernatter and husband, Andrew, and Derek Blan; great-grandchildren, Maddison, Maddox, Camdyn, Mason, Sydney, Cooper, Cameron, Nathan, Andrew and Alex; brothers, Bill Blan, Harvey Blan and Mike Blan and wife, Susan; sisters, Ruth Hendrix and husband, Roger, and Nora Stanley. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Pep Blan and Joe Blan and sister, Joyce Blan.
In lieu of flowers or other condolences, please consider making a donation in Kenneth’s name to the First Baptist Church of Verdigris building fund at 25505 S. 4110 Road, Claremore, OK 74019.
Please view and sign Kenneth’s online tribute at www.delozierfuneralservice.com