Obituary of Jewel Leon Blansett

Jewel Leon Blansett, age 77, passed away at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach on May 12, 2014 surrounded by his family. Jewel was born to Millard and Arlene (Bailey) Blansett on September 11, 1936, in Water Valley, Arkansas. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cardwell, Missouri and graduated from Cardwell High School in 1954. He attended Arkansas State College for one year before serving in the U.S. Army from 1959-1961. Jewel earned a certificate of proficiency and was an honor graduate from the training center of Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was one of five to receive this honor out of 175 men. Jewel worked for Brown Shoe Factory in Leachville, Arkansas and in finance in Sedalia, Missouri and Atchison, Kansas. He moved to Camdenton in 1974 where he worked for First National Bank. Jewel served as the Executive Vice President of the bank and held this position until his retirement in 2001. Jewel was a member of First Baptist Church of Camdenton and the Rotary Club. He was a skilled craftsman and loved to study antiques and refinish antique furniture. He also enjoyed fishing at the lakes, spending time outside, gardening, traveling, and visiting with friends and family. Jewel is survived by his loving wife, Ann Price Blansett of Roach, Missouri, his three sons, Keith (Kansas City), Kevin and his wife Holly (Holts Summit), and Kent and his wife Elaine (Omaha), and six grandchildren: Anastasia, Caleb, Josiah, Neil, Ryan, and Kelie. He is also survived by one sister, Mildred Statler and her husband Paul (Columbia), and a nephew (David Statler) and a niece (Mary Foley). Jewel was preceded in death by his parents.