Blair Gordon Jamison, of Phoenix, was born on June 26, 1944, and went on to eternal rest on June 24, 2020 following a 40-year battle with heart and lung diseases. He was just shy of his 76th birthday. Blair was born in Ithaca, New York to the late Charles Chambers Jamison and Dorothy Grace Kennedy, and was the youngest of ten siblings.
Blair was a man with a huge heart for his family, both people and pets. He had many favorite dogs and even a few cats over the years that were still held close to his heart even years after they were gone. It can be imagined that Blair is sitting at his heavenly table, sneaking food from his plate to his many furry friends gathered at his feet.
In addition to being called Blair, he went by the names of Dad, Pop-pop, and even Bla-Bla to some of his older siblings. He will be remembered as always being quick with a smile or a teasing comment to anyone he crossed paths with. He was a life-long United Methodist, growing up in St. Paul’s UMC in Ithaca, NY. After Blair and his family moved to Arizona in 1984, he then spent his last 36 years as a member of Mission Bell UMC in Glendale, AZ. Throughout the years, he spent his time ushering and serving on many committees, including the Board of Trustees. Blair also participated with the Christian program, Walk to Emmaus, which gives people the opportunity to spend a weekend retreat experiencing the love of Christ. He attended his first Walk in 1990, then went on to serve on many later Walks, giving his time so others could know God’s love.
In his younger years, Blair was an active Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout, he volunteered with the First Aid Corp, and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1964.
Blair was a life-long learner and felt so accomplished when he culminated his education by finishing college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Canyon University in 1999. He spent two years at Buffalo State College, one year right after high school, then one more year after he served in the Navy. Thirty years later, Blair completed the additional courses needed to earn his degree at GCU. His family couldn’t have been any prouder of him as he achieved that life-long goal. Being an avid reader and computer user, Blair was learning new things right up to his last years, teaching himself about the art of buying and trading stocks.
Blair served in the United States Navy, during the Vietnam War, from 1964 – 1968. During his time in the Navy, his home port was Mayport, Florida, but he also travelled all over the world, to the Mediterranean, Italy, Greece, Hong Kong, the Philippines and of course, Vietnam. He was assigned aboard the US Naval destroyer, USS Forrest Royal (DD-872). Blair worked throughout the ship as an Interior Communication Technician E4 (3rd Class Petty Officer.) He loved the travel and time at sea that the Navy allowed him to experience. Just a few months ago, Blair was interviewed by his Granddaughter, Emma Wicker for a project that ended up published in a book. The story focused on his years in the Navy, and the book will be forever archived in the Library of Congress. The book is entitled Since You Asked, Volume XVI and is the Arizona I 2020 edition.
Following his time in the Navy, Blair started his family. In April of 1969, he was an attendant in his best friend’s wedding. He was paired up with Diane Langenburg, who was a cousin of the bride. They both knew that very day that they had found the one, despite Diane still being in a relationship, and the fact that they lived over 4 hours apart, he in upstate New York, and she in New Jersey. They quickly worked through those challenges and were engaged by the end of August. They married about a year later, on July 11, 1970. Sadly, Blair died just a few weeks short of their 50th wedding anniversary. Blair and Diane’s marriage is something that their kids, Terri and B.J. have always looked up to. Not every day was easy, but they always stood firm by each other’s side through whatever came their way.
During most of his career, Blair was an Electronic Technician. He spent many years working on Copier Machines, but also servicing CPMs, the machines that keep joints moving continuously following a surgery. Throughout his career, he spent several years working for Xerox, Western Electric and Maricopa County. In addition to his chosen profession, Blair also worked odd fun jobs throughout his life such as a Pool Vacuum Salesman, delivering for Domino’s Pizza (back during the time of the Noid!) and working for Cornell University, doing electric installations during the summer for their farming program. His favorite job was one of his earliest, working at Purity Ice Cream in Ithaca, where he says he both served and ate great ice cream. Blair will also be remembered for his latest, post-retirement job, when he served the samples at Costco. All his local friends and family loved stopping in to visit him. Blair loved to chit-chat with anyone he could, so it was a very fitting job for him!
When he wasn’t working, Blair loved to travel, particularly taking cruises. His last one with Diane was in 2019 up the East Coast from New York to Nova Scotia, Canada. He enjoyed reading and using his computer to stay up to date on the state of the world. He also loved gathering with friends or family to play cards.
Blair is survived by his wife, Diane Jamison of Phoenix; daughter, Terri Wicker and husband Joel of Scottsdale, Arizona; and son Blair Jamison (B.J.) of Glendale, Arizona; grandchildren: Emily and McKenna Major of Scottsdale, Jackson and Bailey Jamison of Glendale; step-grandchildren: Emma, Charlotte and Amelia Wicker of Scottsdale; and siblings: Marilyn Thomas of Utah, Andrew Jamison and wife Claire of Florida, Manuel Jamison and wife Carol of California, and his twin sister, Barbara Rice and her husband Tom of Florida; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Blair is predeceased by his brothers: Charles, Alan, Ronald and Lawrence, and his sister, Shirley.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will be holding an intimate service in the near future at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, where Blair will be laid to rest. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Blair’s Life in the future when it is safe to gather together again. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org) or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org).
For additional information please contact Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center in Sun City, AZ (623) 933-0161
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