Biography

FUNERAL NOTICE

Sherby Blankenship
Sealy, Texas

Died Thursday, July 8, 2010

Funeral Services, Wednesday, July 14, 2010
2:00 PM
Knesek Bros. Hwy 36 Chapel
1140 Meyer St., Sealy, Texas 77474
Rev. Clyde Drake officiating.
Interment in the Sealy Cemetery.

Visitation
5:00 PM until 8:00 PM,
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Knesek Bros. Hwy 36 Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to
American Cancer Society,
P.O. Box 501, Bellville, Texas 77418 or
Hospice Brazos Valley, 203 East Blue Bell Road, Brenham, Texas 77833

SHERBY BLANKENSHIP, born in Wichita, KS. January 20, 1939 passed away peacefully at his home in Sealy, TX. on July 8, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet, sons Lee Blankenship and wife April of Cat Spring, TX., and Dale Blankenship and wife Ginger of Austin, TX., daughters Lisa Sinsabaugh and husband, David of Katy, TX. and Kami Krause and husband , Randy of Katy, TX. He was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves one brother Ron Blankenship and wife, Marsha, of Houston, TX. two sisters, Judy Marshall and husband, Johnnie, of Broken Arrow, OK. and Gayle Miller and husband Jim of Kansas City, KS, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.

His service will be held at Knesek Funeral Chapel in Sealy, TX., on Wednesday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Viewing will be on Tuesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Visit www.knesekfuneralhome.com for additional info.

Sherby was a highly motivated and gifted man, who had many accomplishments throughout his life, and these are but a few:
He started his mechanical career in Kansas in his early twenties where he worked for Air-Mod, an Air Force Contractor, doing aircraft modifications. After moving to Houston, he began what would soon become a life-long passion and affection for motorhomes, while first working as a technician and then as Service Manager for Main Camper Sales. From that time forward he owned an RV and he and his family enjoyed traveling…Rving. His love of and extensive knowledge of motor homes led to the creation of Blankenship Auto & RV in the mid-eighties.

Sherby worked for many years as a technician, then specialized in auto-electronics, for A.J. Foyt Chevrolet, and served as Service Manager before leaving the dealership to work for A.J. Foyt Racing, again being most interested in electronics and on-board computer operations. He then served as Team Manager, at which time he and the rest of the crew members were the first to have a V-6 engine qualify at the Indy 500.

During his life one of his hobbies was motorcycling, in which he enjoyed a very successful run at Semi-Pro motorcycle racing, competing with the likes of Malcolm Smith and Jack Penton. He never outgrew his love of motorcycle racing, running his last race in March, 2008, along with his sons and grandson, at the young age of 69.

For almost 14 years he served as Parts and Service Director for Lawrence Marshall Chevrolet in Hempstead. In addition to his regular duties there, he was sent by Chevrolet Motor Division on a “service call” to Cairo, Egypt to fix a car that had so far been unable to be fixed, which was owned by the CEO of an Egyptian Oil Company. While still at Lawrence Marshall he continued to be involved in Indy car racing, only on a part-time basis, assisting Dave Mann Racing and Roger Penske Racing with various electronics and wiring issues.

Sherby spent the last eight years prior to retirement, as Parts and Service Director for Lee Hoffpauir Chevrolet in Marble Falls, After retirement in May 2008, he and his wife Janet became “full-timers” living in their motorhome and traveling all over the United States, spending two months in Alaska in 2008.
Unfortunately, his full-time Rving days was cut short when illness befell him last October.

It goes without saying he touched many people in his life and will be sadly missed by many!

Funeral Services

Wednesday July 14, 2010, 2:00 - PM at Knesek Bros. Hwy 36 Chapel
Click for Map and Directions

Visitation

Tuesday July 13, 2010 at Knesek Bros. Hwy 36 Chapel
Click for Map and Directions