Jack C. Blair's Obituary
Jack Carson Blair went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 27, 2011. Jack was born on March 29, 1933 in Thornfield, Missouri to Jesse Albert and Bertie Martha Willis Blair. He was the second youngest of nine children.
Jack attended his first years of school in Thornfield, and then transferred to Rainier Elementary and graduated from Rainier High School in 1951. He attended Lewis & Clark College in 1951-1953 and went on to earn a bachelors of science degree in education in 1959 from Portland State University. He eventually earned a masters degree in educational administration at University of Oregon.
Jack married his high school sweetheart, Elsie LaVonne Johnson, on May 1, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Rainier, Oregon.
In between his school years, Jack served in the army from 1954-1956. He was stationed in Sendai, Japan.
Jack spent his entire career in education. He taught in St. Helens School District and at Warren Elementary School. He was the Superintendent/Principal at Warren, Principal at Grant Watts Elementary and finished his career as Scappoose School District Superintendent, retiring in 1992.
His professional affiliations included being a member of the National Education Association, Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, Past President of Oregon Superintendents Association and past Committee Chairman of the American Association of School Administrators.
Jack was also very active with Grace Baptist Church, serving as an officer for several years, as well as in the Sunday School program, as Church Moderator and as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was also construction/design project manager for the new church building on Ross Road. Jack loved being with his family, traveling with his wife, playing tennis and golf, and going out for coffee. Jack was known for his sense of humor, dry wit and clever puns. He also enjoyed enthralling his grandchildren with his stories of growing up on the farm in Thornfield. Jack was a quiet man of faith and an incredible example to his family and friends.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife LaVonne; Children: Ellen Mark Koelsch; Jon Wendy Blair; Melissa Mark Terry; and Jill Dave Lawrence; 12 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren; Siblings: Max Blair and Martha Robinson. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Delmas, Junior, Edwin, Hugh, Willis, and I.J.
A memorial service of thanksgiving will be held Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Grace Baptist Church in St. Helens, Oregon. Committal Service and Vault Interment was in Hudson Cemetery in Rainier, Oregon.
On-line condolences can be made to the family at www.columbiafh.com.
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