Gerald Dewayne Blair

Gerald Blair, known to nearly everyone as Jerry, was the kind of man who loved fiercely, held his ground with equal conviction. He was stubborn in the best possible way: stubborn in his loyalty, stubborn in his love, and absolutely, unapologetically stubborn at the card table. If you ever sat across from Jerry in a game of Back Up, you already know - he didn't just want to win. He'd have happily played until someone finally let him, though he'd never admit that's how it went.

Born on October 13, 1936, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He served his country in the United States Army before building a long career with Colgate Palmolive. On September 5, 1970, he married the love of his life, Marsha Kay, and together they built a home and a family that would become his greatest pride. From Norman to Kansas City to La Feria, Texas, he carried his roots with him everywhere he went, a fact he wore proudly in something as small and clever as his email address: TKOJerry, a quiet nod to the three states that shaped him. Along the way, Jerry also found community in his CB Radio Club ‘The Dummy Club’, where the airwaves connected him to people who became lifelong friends.

But the truest measure of Jerry Blair was not where he lived or what he built, it was who he loved. At the center of everything was his wife, Marsha Kay, who preceded him in death along with his daughter Dana, and his brothers Merrill, Delbert, Marvin, and Gary.

He leaves behind a legacy written in the faces of the people who called him Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa. His children Shannon (John), Russell, Kim (Rick), Kevin, and Norma (Noey); his grandchildren Tiffany (Paul), Mary, Anne, Hannah (Matt), Taylor (Ande), and Zachary; his great-grandchildren Kyleigh (Ian), Jordan, Lexis, Meriska, Bradley, Penelope, Tristin, Ruby, Emerson, and Sadie; and his great-great-grandchild Avery - together, they are the living proof of a life well and fully loved.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these charities for our Veterans: Folds of Honor Foundation at https://foldsofhonor.org or H.E.R.O.E.S. Care at https://heroescare.org/

Gerald’s visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112, on April 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, on April 3, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.