John "Jack" Edward Blair, Sr.

Born on June 17, 1931, in Geneseo, Illinois, to Jessie Mae and George (Combs) Blair, John was a graduate of the first class at Cambridge High School. A gifted athlete, he excelled in track, football, and basketball. Following high school, John proudly served his country as a medic/surgical technician in the Army during the Korean War and was delighted when he was able to be part of an Honor Flight to Washington DC. He furthered his education with two years at Western Illinois University and eventually worked for International Harvester. He also started John Blair Hypnosis out of his home in Moline, IL and had an office in Naperville, IL, and was known in the area as “The Running Hypnotist”. John enjoyed running and actively competed in road races, including the first Bix. When Bill Rogers came to run his first Bix, John was at the starting line with him. John was a member of the Corn Belt Running Club. He was also a Master Mason at the Moline Lodge.

John was known for his calm demeanor, friendly disposition and his sense of humor. He never met someone who wasn’t a friend. He told great stories about his time in the military, dating when he was a teenager and meeting his wife Marilyn.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Marilyn (DeKezel) Blair, and his children, Joan Blair-Dick (Dean) and Joyce Morey (Marvin Morey), John Blair Jr. (Sue), Jozett McCoy (Michael) and Jorgia McKinney (Michael), grandchildren Deane Morey (Christine), Blair Morey (Nichele), Rebekah Frisk (Matt) , Amanda Hackl (Tom), Abbagail Breimon (Sean), Ashley Hansen (Keith), Annabell Klinter (Kyle), Emily Hall (Jon), Evan McCoy, George McCoy and Micah McKinney as well as 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Blair and son-in-law Marvin Morey.

John Edward Blair Sr. will be deeply missed for his humor, outgoing personality and love of life. He rarely complained and enjoyed life to its fullest. He and Marilyn made a point to find time to take vacations and trips with their children throughout the United States. His children fondly remember the camping trips that always went sideways and his grandchildren will remember tall-tale stories like the one he took across the country in a covered wagon.

The family will hold a private viewing before cremation and will host a celebration of life on January 10th in the activity room at Heritage Court Apartments in the activity room, 3401 Schuetzen Ln, Davenport, IA 52804, from 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org).