George L. Bair Sr.

George L. Bair Sr.

George L. Bair Sr., 89, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Sunday, January 15, 2012 with loving family at his side.

He was born in Casper, Wyoming on December 7, 1922. He way a young child when his family returned to Webb City, Missouri. After the death of his father in August of 1930, the family (his mother, five sons and one daughter) moved to Springfield. After graduating from Springfield High School (Central High School) in 1941, he joined the Army. He was a Pathfinder-paratrooper in the 101st Airborne and participated in three campaings: the liberation of Eindhoven, Netherlands, invasion of Normandy on D-Day and lastly, the siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge for which he was a recepient of a Purple Heart. Returning to the US, he settled in Springfield.

On December 28, 1946, he married Doris Jean Mongold and they were married over 50 years before she preceded him in death in 1997.

George and Jean raised five children, George L. Bair Jr. (Linda) of Wichita, KS, Barbara J. Burros (Don) of Walterboro, SC, Rebecca J. Gilmore (Brad), Springfield, Robert L. Bair, Sr. (Debbie), Springfield and Ronald A. Bair, Sr., Springfield.

He is survived by his five children and eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grantchildren. In addition, he is survived by a sister-in-law Lillian Bair, Holton, Kansas and sister-in-law Jean Mongold, Tuscumbia, Missouri.

He was preceded in death in addition to his wife, by his siblings, Joe Bair, Charles Bair, Orville Bair, Elaine Andrews and Johnny Bair.

George and his wife Jean were the original Bair's of the Bair's Grocery on South Campbell. They opened Bair's in 1962, first in a small building north of its current location. It was moved to its current location in 1967. They sold the store in 1972, though it continues to maintain the name Bair's and is the last "mom and pop" neighborhood grocery to exist in Springfield.

He retired from Southwestern Telephone Company in 1977 after 30 years service. Always a union advocate, he was active in the local CWA union and after retirement with Bell, spent 10 years working for the national union. Retired from that position in November 1988, returned to Springfield to be with his family.

He was a caregiver to his wife following a stroke for 7 years and a wonderful father and grandfather, always available to his children.

He will be missed, but we know he has gone back to be with Momma, his wife of 50 years. God Bless you Daddy! We could not have asked for a better Daddy, we love you and will miss you.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in Eastlawn Cemetery under the care of Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.