Franklin M. Blair

Franklin Martin Blair was born August 2, 1926 in Conway, Arkansas to the Dr. Cecil and Gussie Blair, the third of five children. He moved to Chicago at a very early age and attended school there. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army, serving in the Philippines and later arrived in Japan as the Armistices was signed. He was aboard ship in the Japan harbor within sight of the Missouri when the signing took place aboard the Missouri. He was then commissioned by the Army to set up the photo lab to take the pictures of the prisoners of war who where then tried.

After his tour of duty he enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, obtaining his BA in agriculture and Masters in Education. His further studies were in Science. After teaching three years elsewhere he came to Northside in 1956 and taught in the Science department for thirty years.

He became a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church as a young teen. He was a member of the National Teachers Association, Past Grand Counselor of United Commercial Travelers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and AARP.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Cecil and Gussie Blair, his brother Cecil, Jr. his sister Mary and his younger brother John Blair. He is survived by his wife Betty of the home; his daughters, Mary Blaise and her husband John of Bartlesville, OK, Suzanne Hasty and her husband Wes of Greenville, SC and Linda Barnett and her husband Kevin of Fort Smith; son David Blair and his wife Leta of Mountainburg; his six grandchildren: Trey, Benjamin, and Matthew Hasty of Greenville, SC Laurel Douglas, Kennedy Barnett and James Barnett of Fort Smith; one great granddaughter Ellie of Rock Hill, NC, and sister Virginia Jean Melton of Springdale.

Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, January 6, 2011 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel with burial and military to follow at the Ft. Smith National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith.

Memorials may be sent to Southside Baptist Church 2400 Dodson Ft. Smith, AR 72901 or Heifer Project International 1 World Avenue, Little Rock , AR 72202.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 5, 2010 at the funeral home.