He was born May 17, 1951 in Ebensburg, PA to the late Leo James Blair and Helen Jordan Blair. He held degrees in Psychology and Public Health Administration from Penn State University and UNC-CH, respectively. John’s careers in the local department of Social Services, in state government, and consulting firms took him across the state of NC to better the lives of the less fortunate.
A passionate lover of music, John was also an esteemed adjudicator and consultant for Drum and Bugle Corps and marching bands across North America from the mid-70’s until the early 90’s.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Shepherd.
John is survived by his wife, Beth; son, Andrew Blair; step son’s, Aaron and Matthew Glisson; grandchildren, Brody and Mataley Glisson; niece, Kelli (Shepherd) Keever and husband John; sister-in- law, Pat Shepherd; cousins, Joyce Richards and Jude McKnight.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 21, 2018 at Carothers Funeral Home in Gastonia.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Gaston County DHHS-Social Services Division, 330 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, NC 28052 or The ALS Association NC Chapter, 4 N. Blount Street #300, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com
Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Blair family.
