James Howard Blair III

Columbia, SC – James Howard Blair III, "Jay," died May 2, 2025. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 12, 1963, the oldest child of the late Dr. James Howard Blair, Jr. and Margaret Myers Blair Miller. Jay moved to Columbia with his parents and sister in 1969, grew up there, and made Columbia his home with his wife Deborah (Debbie) Eadon Blair and son James (Jim) Howard Blair IV.

Jay was a residential realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty where he was lucky enough to meet Debbie, the love of his life. Debbie was a steady and nurturing force for the 26-plus years that they were married and as his health declined with Multiple Sclerosis. Jay was also blessed with the ever-constant attention of his mother, who lived nearby and would drop everything to tend to any need he had, no matter how small. The support they provided helped Jay to endure a disease that robbed him of the ability to do the things that he most enjoyed, which generally took place on a boat or in a duck blind or deer stand.

Jay was a 1981 graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and a 1985 graduate of Wofford College, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. From an early age, Jay was a consummate outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish above all else. He instilled a love of hunting and fishing in his son Jim, who, like his father and under Jay’s tutelage, became an excellent marksman and can back a boat trailer like a champion. Jay was so proud of Jim and, besides many hunting and fishing adventures they shared, attended every sporting event Jim participated in, from elementary school until he graduated from high school. Even after his health and mobility declined, Jay stayed connected to the outdoors for as long as he was able by attending outings for mobility-impaired hunters sponsored by Cimarron Outdoors.

In addition to his wife and son, Jay is survived by his mother, Margaret Myers Blair Miller; his mother-in-law, Jennie Alderman Eadon; his sister, Karen Blair Manning (Fred) and her children, Margaret Blair Manning, Charles Frederick Williams Manning III and Eugenia Weston Manning; first cousin, Robert Sidney Blair, Jr. (Susanne) and his children, William Locke Blair and David Robert Blair; step-brother, Joseph Henry Miller IV (Jenny) and family; and step-sister, Cherry Miller Kuntz (George) and family. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. James Howard Blair, Jr.; brother, John Charles Blair; father-in-law, Marion L. Eadon, Jr.; and stepfather, Dr. Joseph Henry Miller III. Jay was also predeceased by his four-legged children, Sport, Dillon, and Hunter.

Special thanks to caregivers, Chelsie Poplawski, Doreen Conyers and Tammy Smith, and dedicated friends, Janet Feimster, Yvonne Henry, Tim Hampton, Scott Jordan, Paul Bostic, Calvin Summers and Johnny Burg, all of whom provided comfort, care, and companionship to Jay through the years.

A memorial service at Downtown Church, 2030 Gregg Street, Columbia S.C. 29201 will be held at 4:30 pm on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the home of Karen and Fred Manning, 322 Country Club Drive, Columbia, SC 29206.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Downtown Church, Shandon Methodist Church, Cimarron Outdoors or MS Society.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.