Kyle Vernon Blankenship

Kyle Vernon Blankenship, Sr. 85, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 30, 2017. He was born on July 12, 1932, in Virginia coal mining country to Mitchell and Delia Blankenship and moved to Kingsport Tennessee when he was around 5 years old. Kyle served for 4 years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era, aboard aircraft carriers and at multiple OCONUS bases. He was honorably discharged and returned home to Kingsport. Kyle worked many years in plastics for Eastman and Cap Snap Company and retired in 1997. But his passion was woodworking where he owned "Blankenship Cabinets" and custom built, or refurbished hundreds of kitchen and bath cabinet sets and display cabinets in East Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and New Mexico. He created many beautiful pieces for his customers who were like family to him. One of Kyle's friends recently wrote, "Kyle was a Master Craftsman Cabinet Maker. Only few men can grasp the knowledge, workmanship and creative mind it takes to build".

Kyle was a member of Reservoir Road Baptist Church and was the Cornerstone of faith for our family, and the Exemplar of a disciple of Christ. He was a blessing to all who knew him; his never-ending sense of humor and positive outlook reached out and touched hearts of all!

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kyle Blankenship, Jr; brothers, Walter, Ken, and John; and sisters, Mildred Ward and Beulah "Boots" Sykes.

Kyle is survived by his wife of 47 years, Vonda Blankenship; brother, Larry "Pete" Blankenship; daughter, Debbie Mays and spouse Sam of Gainesville, GA; daughter, Kathy Murray and husband Johnny from Kingsport; son Kenneth Osborne and wife Michelle of Las Cruces, NM; grandchildren Wendi Sheppard, Brooke Mays, Kelsi Hickey, Kyle Blankenship III, Jamie Blankenship, Leslie Cantrell, John Murray, Austin Fugate, Ryan Comparato, Kenna Osborne, Michael Osborne; 10 great grandchildren; and many friends and caring neighbors.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Daniel Carroll, Rev. Keith Smith and Hospice RN Becky Sutherland.

The family will receive friends from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2017, at Hamlet-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The service will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Keith Smith officiating.

Graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Family will serve as pallbearers.

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