Thomas Edward Blair

Thomas "Tom" Edward Blair Mr. Blair, 86, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died peacefully, after an extended illness, surrounded by his loving family on August 6, 2013 at Sharon Towers. Tom was born in his family's ancestral home in Blair, South Carolina on July 7, 1927, to the late William E. and Cleone McMeekin Blair. He lived his early youth with his family in Blair, SC; Hendersonville, NC; and Alexandria, VA and moved to Charlotte in 1941 where he graduated from Central High School. He served in the United States Navy during World War II where he was stationed in the Pacific. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1951. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and a lifelong Tar Heel fan - attending home football games for more than fifty years. Tom retired as an executive with Allison-Erwin Company in 1980. He was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church for more than seventy years. Tom married Catherine McLaughlin Schiff in 1954. She predeceased him in 1979. He is survived by his long-time fiancée, Margaret "Billie" Bryan, who has loved and wonderfully cared for him for many years. In addition, he is survived by two sons, Michael E. Blair and wife, Betsy, of Charlotte; and Todd M. Blair of Atlanta, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Catherine "Catie" Blair Eller and husband, David; William B. Blair of Charlotte; Caroline M. Blair, Thomas Conner Blair, Preston Blair, Grace Blair, and Anna Blair of Atlanta, Georgia; and his sister, Cleone B. Neill of Charlotte. Memorial service will be held Friday, August 9,2013 at 10:00 am at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, all are welcome to attend. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the home of Mike and Betsy Blair. The family expresses its appreciation to the nursing staff at Sharon Towers for the excellent care provided to Tom during his illness. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to a charity of the donor's choice. …A Tar Heel Dead.