Edward C. Blair Jr.'s Obituary
Edward C. Blair Jr. 77, of Umatilla, passed away on April 25, 2012. He was born in Hammond, Indiana and was a Christian. Ed was a sales representative for many water sports manufacturers and the fishing industry. He was an avid water-skier and taught many young people the sport. His career in the US Navy included two years in the Naval Aviation Branch during the Korean War. He was a trained Airman, and received an Honorable Discharge in 1957. He was a member of the 1957 class of Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC. He moved to Florida from Spartanburg, SC in 1967 to be close to his business partner. He raised his family in Eustis, Florida. He was a sports car enthusiast and with Bud Lewis, raced sports cars throughout the southeast during the 1960s. During his teen years in the 1940s, Mr. Blair held a paper route for the Spartanburg Herald which he first delivered by bicycle and later by a Cushman motor scooter. He was a great father-figure to many, was good-natured and well-read. He made friends easily and all remember him with great fondness.Ed is survived by his sons Thomas Richard “Rick” (Cheryl) Blair of Clearwater, Florida and Edward C. “Skip” (Susan) Blair of Umatilla, Florida, daughter in law Mary Jane Blair of Eustis, grandchildren Rhiannon Blair Peacock, Josie Blair, Francie Blair and Shannon Kearney, great grandchildren Autumn Blair, Caitlin Torres, Michael Peacock and Michael Kearney and his brother Earl W. (Nancy) Blair Sr. of Pauline, South Carolina. He was predeceased by his wife Edna in 2004 and his son Randall Marshall Blair in 2011. Services were held in the Hamlin and Hilbish Chapel on Monday April 30th at 6 PM, with Susan Blair, Minister officiating, the family received friends from 4 PM until the funeral hour. Mr. Blair was then taken to Spartanburg, South Carolina for graveside services in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens at 11 AM on Thursday May 3rd. Dunbar Funeral Home of Roebuck (864-587-7777) is in charge of the Spartanburg arrangements. You may share your own special thoughts and memories by opening the guestbook below.
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