Rick Blair

Rick was born in 1949 at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, to John and Roberta Blair. As the son of a United States Navy serviceman, Rick spent much of his early life traveling with his family. After years of moving from place to place, his parents eventually settled in Wilmington, North Carolina, where Rick would make his home and put down roots of his own.

Rick grew up as one of four children. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Roberta Blair, as well as his brother Robert. He is survived by his older brother, John, and his younger sister, Mary.

Rick spent most of his career with Carolina Power and Light (now Duke Energy) in Southport, North Carolina, working as a Reactor Operator and eventually becoming Senior Reactor Operator. The career required tremendous knowledge, responsibility, and dedication, but Rick treasured far more than the work itself. Some of his best memories of his years at CP&L were the friendships he formed with the people he worked alongside. He was grateful for his “work crew” and all of the memories they gave him.

Rick was the proud father of two children whom he leaves behind: Michael Frederick Blair and his wife, Courtney, and their children, Eloise and Griffin; and Sarah Ashton Pedersen and her husband, Cory, and their children, Moses and Hollyn. He raised his kids with Melanie in a generational home on Masonboro Sound. The boat outings, “Fall Parties”, and guitar jams will forever be in their hearts. His grandchildren brought great joy to his life, and no family roll call would be complete without his granddogs, Huckleberry and Burt.

Rick loved playing the guitar, fishing, and working with his hands. He appreciated the simple pleasure of casting a line and spending time on the water. He loved telling the story of meeting Jesus during a fishing trip and making his commitment right then and there on Lee Shore, his boat. Above all else, Rick followed Jesus Christ. His faith was central to who he was, and if there was one thing he wanted others to know, it was the love of Jesus. His family takes comfort now in the same hope he carried in life: that death does not have the final word, and that the promise of Christ is greater than the sorrow of saying goodbye. The faith that guided him throughout his life has now brought him home, to The House, where he rests in the presence of the Savior he loved and trusted.

Although the fishing line is reeled in, the guitar hangs quietly, and the tool belt rests upon its hook, Rick’s memory will live on through his children, their spouses, his grandchildren, his siblings, his extended family, his four-legged family, his dear friends, former colleagues, and the many people whose lives crossed his along the way.

Services will be held at Hope Community Church at 2 pm on Saturday, September 5, 2026.