Benjamin Gordon Hair

Benjamin Gordon Hair of Stony Point, the only son of Brenda and Gordon Hair, perished tragically in a traffic accident Sunday, December 13, 2009.

He was born in Olney, Maryland, on December 27, 1988, and moved to Frederick, Maryland, a year later. Ben attended schools there until the family came home to Albemarle County in 2001. He graduated from Sutherland Middle School and Albemarle High School with honors, and would have graduated with his class at Virginia Tech in May 2010. He was presently enrolled in the Pharmacy School at Shenandoah University planning to become a pharmacist like his dad.

Ben was a swimmer since the age of 18 months, competing in YMCA meets in Maryland and later for the Virginia Gators, YMCA, SWAT, and Albemarle High School, where he also ran track and field and played lacrosse. In June 2006, Ben was awarded the first ever Skip Kinnier Scholarship to a swimmer by the Falcon Club. Ben said that he was really amazed that he was chosen for the scholarship and that it was probably one of the greatest honors in his life so far. He was an accredited Life Guard, working mostly at the Meade Avenue pool and the University of Virginia Aquatics and Fitness Center. He also was a pharmacy technician, working for CVS at the Downtown Mall store as well as in Blacksburg, Louisa, and Winchester, whenever he could take time from his studies in order to earn his pocket money and to follow his favorite band 311.

Ben participated in the Boy Scouts of America program from the time he was a Tiger Scout until he became an Eagle Scout in January 2006. In an interview, Ben said he wanted to become a scout because his dad had been one and then he wanted to go all the way to be an Eagle Scout and make his parents proud.

His proposal was to enhance the area behind Albemarle High School with 100 American Chestnuts and 50 White Oaks. Ben's parents and fellow scouts offered their support and hard work in building three benches, rebuilding the bridge behind AHS, and clearing all the brush and obstruction from the walking trail. Ben wanted the benches to be sturdy and made to last for a long time so that people would remember how he had helped AHS and they would have a nice place to sit if they were tired from walking.
Ben was pre-deceased by his paternal grandparents, Merle and Mary Hair of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and his maternal grandfather, George M. Graves, who died in April.

He is survived by his loving parents, Brenda and Gordon Hair; his maternal grandmother, Joan Graves; his aunt, Thais Hair of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; his aunts, Donna Fredrick and Stacey Liljegren of Charlottesville; his aunt, Valerie Roadman and her husband, Stanley Bjorum, of Portland, Oregon; his cousin, John T. Liljegren, who was more like a brother, and John's fiancée, Jasveen Kaur, of Falls Church, Virginia; and his great-uncle, Julian R. Graves of Charlottesville.
Ben will be missed by his extended family, myriad friends and co-workers. He will continue to serve his community by his expressed wish to be an organ donor where at least 100 patients will benefit from his gift. A scholarship to honor the memory of Benjamin Gordon Hair will be established at Albemarle High School, 2775 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

In lieu of flowers, please send your contributions there.

A memorial service for our beloved Benjamin will be held 1 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2009, at First Baptist Church, 735 Park Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, in the care of the Reverend Mark Long, with a reception afterwards at the church. A private interment will take place Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at Monticello Memorial Gardens.

Benjamin, we love you and will always miss you.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.