J Mike Blair

View Video TributeView Funeral Webcast J. Mike Blair, 101, well-known Columbia businessman and community activist, died Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Life Care of Columbia. He was a former resident of The Bridge and long-time resident of Carter Street. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at West Seventh Street Church of Christ with Porter King, Jeremy Butt, and members of the Blair family officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols and after 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. The family suggests memorials to Columbia Academy, 1101 West Seventh Street, Columbia 38401 or West Seventh Street Church of Christ, 405 West Seventh Street, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. A descendant of pioneer Maury County settlers, he was the son of the late John Hider Blair and Pearl Mae Nicks Blair. He started his career as a printer with THE DAILY HERALD. After several years, he purchased an interest in The Commercial Press print shop and worked for THE MAURY DEMOCRAT. Over a period of years, he owned and operated Jersey Pride Creamery, managed Kraft Foods cheese plant, managed Castner-Knott Home Store on the square, and owned and operated Riverside Super Market. After 24 years as a representative of The Charles C. Parks Wholesale Grocery Company, he retired from his business career. However, Mr. Blair did everything but retire from activities he had pursued throughout his business career. He was an enthusiastic member of the Columbia Lions Club since 1941, served as President and was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellowship for 50 years service. He was a member and served as President of the Maury County Historical Society, served as Chairman of the Columbia Power and Water System Board of Directors, member of the Board of Directors of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce, and was a Super Star volunteer for the Maury Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. He always enjoyed his daily visits with friends at the coffee clubs at Bucky's Restaurant, Lucille's Restaurant, and Kathy's Restaurant. Mr. Blair was a long-time, faithful member of West Seventh Street Church of Christ and Porter King Sunday School Class. He was married July 2, 1932 to the former Mary Ruth Fraser. Their 76-year marriage ended with her death April 1, 2009. He is survived by a daughter, Pat (Dr. Bill) Johnston of Nashville; sons, Neal (Mary Lee) Blair of Columbia and Dr. John Rodney (Sandra) Blair of Palm Beach, Florida; daughter-in-law, Rosanne Blair of Memphis; grandchildren, Neal Blair, Carol (Todd) Peterson, Jenna (Jarrett) Smith, Melanie (James) Dodd, Emily (Mac) Hardcastle, Will (Irish) Johnston, David Johnston, Alanna Blair, and Kit Blair; great-grandchildren, Daniell Blair, Corey Blair, Parker Peterson, Eli Smith, Ella Ruth Smith, Corbin Dodd, Leland Hardcastle, Jake Johnston, and Harper Johnston. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Allen Blair; sisters, Louise (Howell) Caldwell and Marie (Lillard) Garrison; and a brother, Leland (Georgia) Blair. His grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Elders and Deacons of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, members of the Porter King Sunday School class, Super Star volunteers of Maury Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, former Columbia Lions Club members, J. Frank Walker, George Jones, Billy Glynne Rummage, Dr. William Haywood, and Dr. Steve Simmons. The family expresses much gratitude for the loving care administered to Mr. Blair by Dr. Steve Simmons, care-giver, Leslie Hanson, and the staff of The Bridge and Life Care of Columbia.