Thomas Duvall Blair

BLAIR, HYING, WARNER

Posted By: Darlene Blair (email)
Date: 5/26/2014 at 13:06:55

Thomas Duvall Blair, age 77, of Henderson, NV passed away September 7, 2012 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, after a short illness.

He was born October 20, 1934 in Bennett, Iowa to William Floyd Blair and Pauline Marie (Duvall) Blair. The family later moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He graduated from Main (now Palmer) High School in 1952. Tom worked at several companies including Mt. Manitou Incline Cog Railway in 1952 and 1954 as a section worker and conductor at Manitou Springs, Colorado.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1954, PFC Infantry, serving during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged with a Good Conduct Medal after completing his reserve duty in 1962.

After his return to Colorado, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railway (ATSF), Colorado Division, at La Junta, Colorado.

At his mother’s home in Colorado Springs he married Darlene Hying on September 3, 1963.

He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen and served as Local Chairman for several years. He was also a life member of the Elks organization (B.P.O.E.). Tom was extremely fond of hunting Elk with friends and family in many Colorado mountain areas. In the earlier years he enjoyed fishing in those areas as well. He was a “die-hard” Denver Broncos fan and actually enjoyed all football.

In 1996, he retired from the Santa Fe after thirty-nine plus years of service. He and his wife moved to Henderson, Nevada in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; sons, Raymond (Paula) Blair of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Robert (Alison) Blair of Phoenix, Arizona; his sister, Joan Warner of Grand Junction, Colorado; his grandson and several step-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Floyd and Pauline Blair of Colorado Springs and his brother, William (Bill) Blair of Bennett, Iowa.

A memorial service was held by St. Rose Hospital Spiritual Staff honoring all loved ones lost in September. Each was remembered individually with their photo placed on the altar during a meaningful prayer service. Tom was dearly loved and will forever be missed by his family and friends.

Burial was made in the Inland Cemetery by Bennett, Cedar Co. Iowa