Baker City, Oregon
David L. Blair, 54, of Baker City, died June 22, 2003, at the Boise Veterans Hospital.
His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by the Baker City American Legion, Post 41. Vault interment will be after the service.
Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
David L. Blair was born on Dec. 27, 1948, at Baker City to James and Eva Blair. He attended St. Francis Academy in his earlier years and later attended Baker High School.
He worked at Truss-Joist in Boise. He worked at many other jobs in the Baker City area prior to joining the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany.
David was seriously injured in a logging accident in 1976 while employed at a local logging company. He worked a short time as a manager of The Salvation Army Store. He also worked as the manager of the Grizzly Bear Pizza Parlor.
He worked as a manager of the Step Forward recycling center and later was a live-in resident manager. He worked at the Sunridge Inn for six years as a bartender, cook and office clerk. David was a jack-of-all-trades. His disabilities eventually led to his retirement in 1992.
David was very active in the community. He was dedicated to assisting anyone who had a need for help. He implemented the Ponglada Cancer fund, was a board member for MayDay and was instrumental in getting the drug dog, Reed, for Baker County.
He was very active in the American Legion, Post 41, where he held several officer positions. He drove the Disabled American Veterans Van to transport veterans to the Boise Veterans Hospital. Every year he sold veterans poppies in front of Albertsons. He also enjoyed working in his wood shop where he designed creative birdhouses and signs.
Survivors include his wife, Susie; daughter, Tina, and her husband, Jeremy of Baker City; son, Justin of Boise; daughter, Shanda of Tacoma, Wash.; daughter, Kim, and her husband, Lance of McCall, Idaho; his father, James Blair; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Pam Blair of Corvallis, Wally and Arlene Blair of Springfield and Alan and Nit Blair of Baker City; five grandchildren, Rachel, Shelby, Shane, Jennifer, and Andy Hughes, age 6, who was a very special grandson to David.
He was preceded in death by his mother; his son, Shane; sister, Sylvia; and two beloved nieces, Katrina and Ponglada.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion, Post 41, or to his wife through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 27, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor