James Blair

James Blair, 83, of Shelby, N.C., passed away Saturday at his home.

A native of Butler County, he was the son of the late Paul H. and Isabel Grove Blair.

He served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and graduated from Grove City College with a degree in physics. He worked 23 years at PPG Industries and retired from Amaya Glaze Company in Shelby.

He was a member and former elder of John Knox Presbyterian Church. He was active in the soup kitchen ministries at John Knox and Shelby Presbyterian churches and was a member and treasurer of Foothills Dulcimer Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Blair Riggleman.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Lou Runyan Blair at home; his son, Stephen Blair and his wife, Beth, of Matthews, N.C.; his daughters, Susan Blair Kutz and her husband, Dave, of Carlisle and Ellen Blair Tomayko and her husband, Chris, of Butler; his sister, Joy Blair Bloemers; his brother, Wendell Blair; and his grandchildren, Robert Skeel, Stewart Skeel, Scott Brackett, Connor Brackett and his fiance, Madison Grigg and Brooke Blair.

BLAIR — Memorial services for James Blair, who died Saturday, April 11, 2015, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at John Knox Presbyterian Church, Shelby, N.C., with the Rev. Deborah Lesenger officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church.Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery with military honors.Memorial donations may be made to the donor's choice or John Knox Presbyterian Church, 610 Charles Road, Shelby, NC 28152 or the Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.Funeral services handled by the Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby, N.C.To send an online condolence, visit www.claybarnette.com.