G. T. Blankenship

George Tony "G.T." Blankenship Jr., 96, died April 20, 2024. He died peacefully with a red University of Oklahoma blanket keeping him warm. G.T. was born on March 11, 1928, in Oklahoma City. He married Elizabeth "Libby" Warren of Tulsa on June 8, 1951. They celebrated 72 years of marriage in 2023.

G.T. attended Classen High School and the University of Oklahoma where he earned his bachelor's degree in government and history and his law degree, followed by studies at the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate School. He was a Judge Advocate General "JAG" in the Air Force, stationed in Presque Isle, Maine, and Montgomery, Alabama. He was in private law practice in Oklahoma City for many years and founded and served as chairman of the board of Nichols Hills Bank & Trust Co.

From 1960 to 1966, he served in the state House of Representatives, the final two years as minority floor leader. G.T. was known for his honesty and integrity when he initiated the investigation of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which resulted in the ouster of three justices and is known as The Supreme Court Scandal. Blankenship was the first Republican in Oklahoma history to be elected Attorney General, serving from 1967 to 1971.

He provided notable service on the OU Board of Regents from 1990 to 2004, completing his second term as chairman of the board in March 2004. During his service on the OU Board, major capital projects were begun or completed on OU's three campuses. He also chaired OU's Great Expectations: Campaign for Sooner Sports, served on the Sarkeys Energy Center board of directors and Political Communication Center advisory board. A founder of the President's Associates and The Touchdown Club, he and his wife established the G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair of The History of Freedom at OU.

G.T. contributed considerable time and effort to many charitable and educational endeavors, including the Oklahoma Heritage Association, the Oklahoma Eye Foundation, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, the Presbyterian Health Foundation, Oklahoma Healthcare Corporation, Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, the United States Marshals Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, Committee of One Hundred, Dean McGee Eye Institute, longtime member of The Fortune Club and many others. Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Blankenship also was named to the Oklahoma City Public School Foundation Wall of Fame, an outstanding volunteer fundraiser by the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives, and a Path Maker by the Oklahoma City and County Historical Society. Because of his support of research on Alzheimer’s and the aging, the Sarkeys Foundation established an endowed chair in his name at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in 2000. Additionally, together with his wife, he received the 2004 OU College of Medicine Dean's Award for Distinguished Community Service and they were each awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters.

In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, boating on Grand Lake and traveling. He and Libby spent almost 40 years wintering in Kona, Hawaii where they loved golfing, hiking and spending time at the beach with friends. They spent many Augusts in La Jolla, California with family and friends. Whenever anyone asked him what G.T. stood for, he would always say loudly "Good Times" and chuckle about it. G.T. cherished all his friendships.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Tony and Daisy Dean Blankenship. He leaves behind his beloved wife Libby; three children, Matthew Steven Blankenship and his wife Miriam; Elizabeth Ann Blankenship, and Julie Kay Blankenship and her husband Rick Klingenberg; 7 grandchildren, Caroline Simpson, Philip Marks, Teddy Mundt, Matthew Blankenship, Natalie Wolfe, Travis Blankenship and Madeline Blankenship; and six great-grandchildren, Kai and Thayer Simpson; Emilio, Elizabeth and Oliver Marks; Kaden and Cooper Mundt and Jack Wolfe; two more great­grandchildren are due soon. He was affectionately known as Papa.

The family would like to thank caregivers: Jorge, Caridad, Daniel, Charmaine, Leonila, and Jacqueline; lntegris Hospice House, and Dr. Randy Morgan for their loving care.

Memorial services will be 10am Friday, April 26, 2024, at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church. Following the service, he will lie in state at the State Capitol from 1-5pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to one of the many charitable or educational endeavors he supported would be appreciated.