The Vancouver Columbian
Clark County, Washington
October 31, 2001
IN MEMORIAM
LELAND ERNST BLAIR
Leland Ernst Blair, a quiet man whose slow smile and sparkling eyes reflected his caring personality, died at the age of 85 on October 29 at this home in Vancouver.
Leland leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Alice Gillespie Blair; his daughter Marilee Gamble of Vancouver; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tom Jacka of Vancouver; two grandchildren and their spouses, Aaron Semro and wife Nicole of Battle Ground; and Elia Surbert and husband Collin, of Prindle. There are four great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro of Battle Ground, who will greatly miss their "Poppa." Mr. Blair's sister, Winifred Rohrer of Vancouver, also survives, as do numerous nephews and cousins. A sister, Deah Zimmerman, and brother Willis Blair, preceded him in death.
Born at home on May 9, 1916 in east Vancouver, Leland graduated from East Mill Plain Union High School in 1934 and attended Clark Junior College when it met at the old Hidden House. He was a member of the first basketball team Clark organized. At the time, there was no money for college uniforms, so the team wore the Vancouver JAYCEES uniforms for games. Devoted to sports, and especially fond of Clark College athletics, Mr. Blair would be honored if those wishing to remember him would send a contribution to the college's athletic fund.
Leland worked at this parents; general store, near the intersection of Mill Plain and what is now 164th Avenue. His parents, Laura Ernst and Coy Robert Blair, early residents of the area, owned Blair's General Merchandise Store and sold groceries, gas and feed to farmers. They provided the first two school buses for Evergreen Schools to ensure children could back and forth to school. As well as helping out in the store, Leland worked for the paper mill in Camas and played baseball for the City of Camas when it was in the Portland, Oregon semi-professional baseball league.
He retired from Tri-Met in 1980 after working for 38 years for the Vancouver-Portland bus line, driving the same 16-mile round trip journey, six days a week, eight hours a day, since he started March 31, 1942. Riders from throughout the Metropolitan area honored him at this retirement and send him get well cards after a triple-bypass heart operation in later years. He was along-time member of Memorial Lutheran Church.
Leland continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes of golfing, fishing, gardening and family functions, despite regular kidney dialysis this past year. He caught a 30-pound salmon near Tillamook less than a month ago.
He will be deeply missed by the family and friends he leaves behind, but who are so blessed by his presence. Memorial services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of "Leland Blair for the Clark Athletic Department," payable to the Clark College Foundation, 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, Washington 98663. ~~~END~~~
NOTES:
Leland Blair was the son of Coy Robert Blair & Laura Ernst Blair.
Leland Blair was the father of two daughters. He was the grandfather of a granddaughter and a grandson, the children of his daughter, Linda. He is the great-grandfather of eleven: his granddaughter and her husband have two daughters and his grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children ~ seven girls (including triplets) and two boys.
Clark County, Washington
October 31, 2001
IN MEMORIAM
LELAND ERNST BLAIR
Leland Ernst Blair, a quiet man whose slow smile and sparkling eyes reflected his caring personality, died at the age of 85 on October 29 at this home in Vancouver.
Leland leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Alice Gillespie Blair; his daughter Marilee Gamble of Vancouver; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tom Jacka of Vancouver; two grandchildren and their spouses, Aaron Semro and wife Nicole of Battle Ground; and Elia Surbert and husband Collin, of Prindle. There are four great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro of Battle Ground, who will greatly miss their "Poppa." Mr. Blair's sister, Winifred Rohrer of Vancouver, also survives, as do numerous nephews and cousins. A sister, Deah Zimmerman, and brother Willis Blair, preceded him in death.
Born at home on May 9, 1916 in east Vancouver, Leland graduated from East Mill Plain Union High School in 1934 and attended Clark Junior College when it met at the old Hidden House. He was a member of the first basketball team Clark organized. At the time, there was no money for college uniforms, so the team wore the Vancouver JAYCEES uniforms for games. Devoted to sports, and especially fond of Clark College athletics, Mr. Blair would be honored if those wishing to remember him would send a contribution to the college's athletic fund.
Leland worked at this parents; general store, near the intersection of Mill Plain and what is now 164th Avenue. His parents, Laura Ernst and Coy Robert Blair, early residents of the area, owned Blair's General Merchandise Store and sold groceries, gas and feed to farmers. They provided the first two school buses for Evergreen Schools to ensure children could back and forth to school. As well as helping out in the store, Leland worked for the paper mill in Camas and played baseball for the City of Camas when it was in the Portland, Oregon semi-professional baseball league.
He retired from Tri-Met in 1980 after working for 38 years for the Vancouver-Portland bus line, driving the same 16-mile round trip journey, six days a week, eight hours a day, since he started March 31, 1942. Riders from throughout the Metropolitan area honored him at this retirement and send him get well cards after a triple-bypass heart operation in later years. He was along-time member of Memorial Lutheran Church.
Leland continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes of golfing, fishing, gardening and family functions, despite regular kidney dialysis this past year. He caught a 30-pound salmon near Tillamook less than a month ago.
He will be deeply missed by the family and friends he leaves behind, but who are so blessed by his presence. Memorial services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of "Leland Blair for the Clark Athletic Department," payable to the Clark College Foundation, 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, Washington 98663. ~~~END~~~
NOTES:
Leland Blair was the son of Coy Robert Blair & Laura Ernst Blair.
Leland Blair was the father of two daughters. He was the grandfather of a granddaughter and a grandson, the children of his daughter, Linda. He is the great-grandfather of eleven: his granddaughter and her husband have two daughters and his grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children ~ seven girls (including triplets) and two boys.
The Vancouver Columbian
Clark County, Washington
October 31, 2001
IN MEMORIAM
LELAND ERNST BLAIR
Leland Ernst Blair, a quiet man whose slow smile and sparkling eyes reflected his caring personality, died at the age of 85 on October 29 at this home in Vancouver.
Leland leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Alice Gillespie Blair; his daughter Marilee Gamble of Vancouver; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tom Jacka of Vancouver; two grandchildren and their spouses, Aaron Semro and wife Nicole of Battle Ground; and Elia Surbert and husband Collin, of Prindle. There are four great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro of Battle Ground, who will greatly miss their "Poppa." Mr. Blair's sister, Winifred Rohrer of Vancouver, also survives, as do numerous nephews and cousins. A sister, Deah Zimmerman, and brother Willis Blair, preceded him in death.
Born at home on May 9, 1916 in east Vancouver, Leland graduated from East Mill Plain Union High School in 1934 and attended Clark Junior College when it met at the old Hidden House. He was a member of the first basketball team Clark organized. At the time, there was no money for college uniforms, so the team wore the Vancouver JAYCEES uniforms for games. Devoted to sports, and especially fond of Clark College athletics, Mr. Blair would be honored if those wishing to remember him would send a contribution to the college's athletic fund.
Leland worked at this parents; general store, near the intersection of Mill Plain and what is now 164th Avenue. His parents, Laura Ernst and Coy Robert Blair, early residents of the area, owned Blair's General Merchandise Store and sold groceries, gas and feed to farmers. They provided the first two school buses for Evergreen Schools to ensure children could back and forth to school. As well as helping out in the store, Leland worked for the paper mill in Camas and played baseball for the City of Camas when it was in the Portland, Oregon semi-professional baseball league.
He retired from Tri-Met in 1980 after working for 38 years for the Vancouver-Portland bus line, driving the same 16-mile round trip journey, six days a week, eight hours a day, since he started March 31, 1942. Riders from throughout the Metropolitan area honored him at this retirement and send him get well cards after a triple-bypass heart operation in later years. He was along-time member of Memorial Lutheran Church.
Leland continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes of golfing, fishing, gardening and family functions, despite regular kidney dialysis this past year. He caught a 30-pound salmon near Tillamook less than a month ago.
He will be deeply missed by the family and friends he leaves behind, but who are so blessed by his presence. Memorial services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of "Leland Blair for the Clark Athletic Department," payable to the Clark College Foundation, 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, Washington 98663. ~~~END~~~
NOTES:
Leland Blair was the son of Coy Robert Blair & Laura Ernst Blair.
Leland Blair was the father of two daughters. He was the grandfather of a granddaughter and a grandson, the children of his daughter, Linda. He is the great-grandfather of eleven: his granddaughter and her husband have two daughters and his grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children ~ seven girls (including triplets) and two boys.
Clark County, Washington
October 31, 2001
IN MEMORIAM
LELAND ERNST BLAIR
Leland Ernst Blair, a quiet man whose slow smile and sparkling eyes reflected his caring personality, died at the age of 85 on October 29 at this home in Vancouver.
Leland leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Alice Gillespie Blair; his daughter Marilee Gamble of Vancouver; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tom Jacka of Vancouver; two grandchildren and their spouses, Aaron Semro and wife Nicole of Battle Ground; and Elia Surbert and husband Collin, of Prindle. There are four great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Joseph, Noah and Juliette Semro of Battle Ground, who will greatly miss their "Poppa." Mr. Blair's sister, Winifred Rohrer of Vancouver, also survives, as do numerous nephews and cousins. A sister, Deah Zimmerman, and brother Willis Blair, preceded him in death.
Born at home on May 9, 1916 in east Vancouver, Leland graduated from East Mill Plain Union High School in 1934 and attended Clark Junior College when it met at the old Hidden House. He was a member of the first basketball team Clark organized. At the time, there was no money for college uniforms, so the team wore the Vancouver JAYCEES uniforms for games. Devoted to sports, and especially fond of Clark College athletics, Mr. Blair would be honored if those wishing to remember him would send a contribution to the college's athletic fund.
Leland worked at this parents; general store, near the intersection of Mill Plain and what is now 164th Avenue. His parents, Laura Ernst and Coy Robert Blair, early residents of the area, owned Blair's General Merchandise Store and sold groceries, gas and feed to farmers. They provided the first two school buses for Evergreen Schools to ensure children could back and forth to school. As well as helping out in the store, Leland worked for the paper mill in Camas and played baseball for the City of Camas when it was in the Portland, Oregon semi-professional baseball league.
He retired from Tri-Met in 1980 after working for 38 years for the Vancouver-Portland bus line, driving the same 16-mile round trip journey, six days a week, eight hours a day, since he started March 31, 1942. Riders from throughout the Metropolitan area honored him at this retirement and send him get well cards after a triple-bypass heart operation in later years. He was along-time member of Memorial Lutheran Church.
Leland continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes of golfing, fishing, gardening and family functions, despite regular kidney dialysis this past year. He caught a 30-pound salmon near Tillamook less than a month ago.
He will be deeply missed by the family and friends he leaves behind, but who are so blessed by his presence. Memorial services have been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2700 E. 28th St., Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of "Leland Blair for the Clark Athletic Department," payable to the Clark College Foundation, 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, Washington 98663. ~~~END~~~
NOTES:
Leland Blair was the son of Coy Robert Blair & Laura Ernst Blair.
Leland Blair was the father of two daughters. He was the grandfather of a granddaughter and a grandson, the children of his daughter, Linda. He is the great-grandfather of eleven: his granddaughter and her husband have two daughters and his grandson and his wife gave birth to nine children ~ seven girls (including triplets) and two boys.
