V. F. Blair

V. F. Blair, 80, passed away, November 22, 2010 in Fort Smith. He was born, September 12, 1930 in Muskogee, OK. He was a long-time machinist the former owner of Bradley Tool and Die Company. His friends and business associates knew him as “Blair”. He was more fondly known by his family as “Paw”. He was a 32 degree mason, was a member of Rye Hill Baptist Church, and served on the board of Indian Vo-tech. Blair served in peacetime with the U.S. Army where he honed his skills as a Master Machinist. This was the trade that he began to learn as a young teenager in Muskogee. After settling out West, he worked as a machinist and planner on the Minute Man missile early Apollo Missions and other projects for Rockwell International. He later returned to his roots in the heartland making Fort Smith his home. He continued his career as a machinist with Bradley Tool and Die. After sixteen years of service he purchased the company and has owned it since 1995. He worked at the shop daily until he semi-retired just a few months ago. Paw loved all sports. He played basketball across Europe while serving in the Army. He also enjoyed baseball and was especially fond of the St. Louis Cardinals. Most importantly, Paw was a devoted husband for over 50 years in addition to being a great father. His grandchildren characterized him as “the greatest granddad in the world”

He is survived by his wife; Carolyn of the home, 1 son; Scott Blair and wife Sheila of Fort Smith, AR, 2 sisters; Flora Carlin and husband J.W. and Oneta Moore and husband Arnold both of Dallas, TX, 2 brothers; Jerry Blair and wife Dolly of Muskogee, OK and Tom Coy Blair and wife Margie of Oklahoma City, OK, and 3 grandchildren, Mackenzie Blair of Fort Smith, Brittany Bradley of Little Rock and Dustin Bradley of Fort Smith.

Graveside service will be 10:00 AM Friday, November 26, 2010 at Oak Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Bradley, Nelson Kimes, Gene Sorrells, Joe Cox, Tim Knight, Gil Howell, Mike Oliver, and Arnold Moore.

Visitation will be 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Thursday, November 25, 2010 at Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to Community Services Clearinghouse, 4420 Wheeler, Fort Smith, AR, 72901.

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com