“Man alive! This is the best day!”

Papa Bair passed away peacefully, March 12, 2018 in Caldwell, Idaho, with his wife by his side.

Cecil was born March 6, 1930 to Nell Betts Parkin and Howard Ray Bair. He spent his early years on what is now known as Bair Ranch in the mountains of Colorado. He had an exciting childhood exploring old mines, fishing rivers and creeks, and snow skiing.

At 13, his family moved to the farm in Nyssa, Oregon that he would later buy from his father. Cecil’s good friend was out of town for a couple weeks leaving his girlfriend, Thelda Hunter. When Cecil caught sight of Thelda he thought, that poor girl is all alone and needs company. Well, as they say, the rest is history. After courting for one year, they were married on September 27, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple. “I was 19 and she was 18. I think 19 was a little young to start life’s battles, but the battle is for the tough ones and we made it.” They raised five daughters and one son. After 36 years of marriage, Thelda died of cancer and Cecil was blessed to be able to reconnect with a childhood friend, Delores Sharp, whose husband had also passed on from cancer just a year earlier. They were married in October 1986, connecting two large families. Cecil loved these new additions and it gave him a good excuse to not remember how many grandchildren he had. Cecil served two missions with his wife, Delores: one in Nigeria and the other in Florida. These missions were highlight in his life and he made many friends.

Cecil was a kind-hearted man and well known for his honesty. One time he needed something important from the local feed store, but it was closed. The owner let him take the key and get what he needed, telling him they would square up later. Some thought Cecil was too trusting, but he always felt it was better to err on the side of generosity.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife Thelda, daughter Marlene Gibson (Roy), son Craig Bair (Shawn), step-daughter Lilly Hathaway(Zane), step-grandchildren Shellise and Jonathan Sharp and sister Joyce Turner (John).

He is survived by wife Delores, four daughters Wendy Cleaver (Newell), Lora Widman (Greg), Leann Allen (Jeff) and Nikki Berry (Curtis); six step-sons Jerry Sharp (Shiela), Doug Sharp (Sandy), Ted Sharp (Sheri), Richard Sharp (Jolee), David Sharp (Kathy), and Lynn Sharp (Diana). He has 60 grandchildren, 123 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren! “Boy Howdy!”

Services will be held March 27, 11am, at the LDS Chapel in Nyssa, Oregon