Jack R Blair

Jack Ray Blair, 76, died Monday, August 17, 2009 at the Mitchell County Hospital, Beloit, and will be sadly missed by his wife of 56 years, children, grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

He was born November 25, 1932 in El Dorado, Kansas to Neven B. and Dorothy Mae (Taton) Blair and was one of seven children. Jack attended public school in Wichita, Kansas until moving to Mankato where he began his 7th grade year and graduated from Mankato High School in 1951.

He was a member of the football and track teams. He worked at Dibble Grocery and Chilicott farms. Jack attended Wichita State University following high school. He began his working career for the Rock Island Railroad as a teenager. He was a telegrapher and depot agent. After moving, back to Mankato, Jack worked at Newell Implement, the school district, and retired as an electrician for the city of Mankato. His interest included golfing, archery, square dancing, ham radios, and youth sports in his early years. He held a deep love for his family and spending time with his grandchildren gave him great joy. He never past up an opportunity for a hug or tell a story. Photography and the computer were his recent past times.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Darrell and Rex Blair; and sister Gwendlyn Campbell.

He will be forever remembered by his wife Jeanie; daughters, Barbara Diane (Bruce) Petersen, Topeka, Kansas, Carole Sue (Ron) Simon, Mankato, Kansas, and Mary Ann (Doug) May, Mount Hope, Kansas; son Rick (Becky), Mankato, Kansas; 15 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brothers Bob and wife Carol of Tualatin, OR, and Dean and wife, Inez of Buckeye, AZ; sister LaVaughn and husbnd Rich Loibl, Wichita, KS; brother-in-law Dick (Gwen) Campbell; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life service for Jack Ray Blair was held Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Redpath and Mr. Jim Germer officiating. Burial was in the East Lutheran Cemetery, Mankato. Memorials may be made to the church.

Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of these arrangements.