Richard Alan Blair

Richard Blair wore many titles throughout his life. Husband. Father. Dad. PeePaw. Papaw. Pastor. Soldier. Veteran. Professor. Author. Editor. Mentor. Friend. To those who knew him best, however, he was simply Rick, or Reeechard. To his readers, he was Elliot Christopher. No matter the title, his greatest calling was always the same: loving God and loving people.

Rick had a remarkable gift for making people laugh while quietly leaving them with something wise, worth pondering. Whether through a sermon, a conversation over coffee, or one of his stories, he had a way of pointing others back to God's Word with humor, wisdom, and grace.

Those closest to him knew that his optimism wasn't accidental. Rick lived with the effects of PTSD, yet he intentionally chose hope each day. He saw the good in others, found reasons to laugh when circumstances were difficult, and encouraged those around him to keep their eyes fixed on Christ. Because he understood pain, he had a unique ability to walk alongside people carrying burdens that often went unseen.

His life was one of service. He faithfully served his country, his church, his students, his readers, and those fortunate enough to know him personally. Whether he was teaching, preaching, writing, mentoring someone searching for direction, or simply sharing a joke, Rick had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and genuinely loved.

One of the greatest gifts our family received was four additional years with Rick following his heart transplant. Those years were filled with precious moments, meaningful conversations, new adventures, cherished time with family and friends, and countless opportunities for him to continue doing what he loved most: serving God, encouraging others, and sharing his gifts with the people around him. We will forever be grateful to God for those extra years, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at the Nashville VA Medical Center and the heart transplant team whose extraordinary care made that precious time possible. Every additional day we shared with Rick was truly a gift.

Rick was preceded in death by his beloved mother Judy Blair and his twin brother Mark Blair, whom we can only imagine welcomed him home with open arms.

He is survived by his wife Darlene Van Meter Blair, his children Margaret Camp, Daniel Camp-Blair, Katherine Buckley, Jason Walley, and Stefanie Watson, his grandchildren, great grandchild, extended family, and countless friends, students, and fellow veterans whose lives were forever changed by his kindness, encouragement, steadfast faith, and unwavering belief in the goodness of God.

While our hearts grieve Rick's passing, we also rejoice in the hope that anchored his life—that because of Jesus Christ, death is not the end. We find comfort knowing he is now whole, healed, and reunited with those he loved, hearing the words he longed for all his life: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

A celebration of Rick's life will be held on Friday, August 14th 2026 from 1300 to 1500, at Sanders Beach Community Center in Pensacola Florida.

If you would like to come, but cannot be there in person, a Zoom call will allow you to attend. Please send your email to Katherine Buckley at [email protected] .

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Richard Blair’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or Volunteers of America-Florida https://www.voaflorida.org/ways-to-help/?form=give&recurring=once&utm_source=chatgpt.com.

Rick chose to see the world through what our family affectionately called "rose-colored glasses." It wasn't because life was easy, it was because he believed God's goodness was greater than life's hardships. That perspective is one of the greatest legacies he leaves behind, and one we hope to carry forward every day.