Mr. Kenny Blake Ellenburg

In Loving Memory of Kenny “Blake” Ellenburg Kenny Blake Ellenburg, known to everyone simply as Blake, was the kind of person who never ceased to smile—and somehow, his smile always made everyone around him smile, too. At just 31 years old, Blake left this world on August 10, 2026, but he leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, love, friendship, and memories that will keep that smile alive for generations to come. Born on August 4, 1995, Blake called Crocketts Bluff, Arkansas, home. He was a son, a husband, a father, an uncle, and a friend to more people than he could probably count. He never met a stranger, and once you knew Blake, you quickly realized you had gained a friend for life. Blake lived with a big heart and an even bigger smile. He was the picture-perfect husband, father, son, uncle, and friend—not because he was perfect, but because he loved people wholeheartedly and showed up for the people who mattered to him. His loyalty was unwavering, his laughter was contagious, and his presence made ordinary moments feel like something worth remembering. Blake married the love of his life, Kristen, on September 18, 2016. True to Blake’s persistent nature, he pursued their relationship with the same determination he brought to everything he loved. Together, they built a beautiful life and welcomed their son, Hoyt, on June 26, 2018. The day Hoyt arrived, Blake and Kristen’s family was complete, and Blake stepped into his greatest adventure yet—being a dad. Being a husband and father was Blake’s greatest joy. He loved Kristen fiercely and took enormous pride in being Hoyt’s dad. There was nothing he enjoyed more than sharing the things he loved with his son. Hoyt called him “the best dad ever,” and to those who watched Blake love and raise his boy, there was no question that Hoyt had it exactly right. Blake was one of the lucky few who got to live his passions every day through his work as a farmhand and duck guide. Whether he was working on the farm from sunrise to sunset or sitting in a duck blind waiting on the morning flight, he took tremendous pride in what he did. The people who started as clients quickly became friends, and those friends became family. Blake had a gift for making people feel at home wherever they were. He loved the outdoors in every way—duck hunting, deer hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, and simply being on the river. But what made those moments most special was being able to experience them with Hoyt. Working beside him on the farm, walking through the woods, sitting together on the water, and teaching him to appreciate the outdoors gave Blake some of his greatest moments as a father. Blake was a member of Faith Baptist Church. Sunday mornings were filled with the kind of conversations Blake loved—talking with friends in the church, catching up with people he cared about, and sharing the deep belly laughs that seemed to come so easily whenever Blake was around. Those Sunday school laughs, those conversations, and those simple moments of fellowship were a meaningful part of his life. But Blake’s faith was more than a Sunday morning tradition. He lived it. He showed Christ’s love through the way he treated people—with kindness, loyalty, generosity, and a genuine willingness to be there for others. Blake was a man who understood that Christ’s love is meant to be shared—not just in words, but in the way we live, love, laugh, serve, and care for one another. So, as we say goodbye to Blake, let us do what he did so naturally: smile. Smile when you think about him. Smile when you remember something goofy he did. Smile when you see a sunrise over the farm, hear the call of ducks over the river, or watch a father and son enjoying the outdoors together. And smile because Blake was here—and because for 31 years, he made this world a brighter, happier place simply by being himself. Though his time was far too short, the love he gave was enormous. His greatest legacy will live on in Kristen, Hoyt, his family, and the countless people who were lucky enough to call him friend. Blake’s smile may no longer be here for us to see, but it will always be ours to carry. Visitation will be Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Essex Funeral Home, 1405 S. Grandview Dr., DeWitt, AR 72042. A memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 14 at Faith Baptist Church, 725 McAdams Rd., DeWitt, AR 72042.

Mr. Kenny Blake Ellenburg

August 4, 1995 - August 10, 2026