Gerald C. Blair Sr.

Gerald C. Blair Sr., (Gerry) died Sunday, September 18, 2016 at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He is survived by his second wife Beverly, son Gerald C. Blair, Jr., granddaughter Stephanie, grandsons Sean and Geoffrey, and  3 great-grandchildren George, Lilly  and  Andrew.

 

Gerry's main occupation as a younger man was in law enforcement. He became a member of the Police Department in Phoenix after a tour of duty in the Navy, holding several different jobs and in August of 1952, a marriage to his first wife Ann Coveny. Besides being a reliable and successful police officer, Gerry was an expert on the police pistol team. About 3 years later he joined the AZ Highway Patrol and was stationed with his family in various parts of the state. Gerry rose to the position of Zone Commander of Northern Arizona and was headquartered in Flagstaff where he built the family home on N. Paradise Rd.

 

Gerry grew up in the outdoors, was experienced in trapping and hunting, and was the provider of venison and other game for the family table. Such activities were a lifetime interest and pastime. After retirement from the Highway Patrol, with more time to devote to those pursuits, he enjoyed photography and writing about his activities. Gerry won national acclaim for the largest elk taken in Arizona and was influential in helping to spread knowledge about the characteristics and proper use of guns, the differences and useful varieties of predator calling equipment, and the many other aspects of successful hunting. He became very well known for his interesting books and magazine articles, and his special skill in predator calling was the subject of his last book.

 

Gerry was also an enthusiastic gem and mineral collector. He visited most of the mineral sources in Arizona and a few in Mexico. His book "Rockhounding Arizona" and articles in related magazines helped many other avid collectors find interesting material to turn into jewelry, carvings and/or other items. Many times he judged cabochon entries in local "rock show" competitions. It was through this hobby that Gerry met his second wife Beverly in 2003. Both enjoyed lapidary and silver work and they enjoyed visiting many turquoise mines in Nevada. They chose a home in Lake Havasu City, half way between Gerry's family in Flagstaff and Beverly's in San Diego, where they lived up to the present.

 

Gerry will be remembered for his humor, his articulate sharing of information, and his many books and articles, which will be enjoyed by generations of others interested in similar pursuits. He will be sorely missed by the many people he inspired and who knew him as the interesting, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable person he always was.

 

A celebration of Gerry's life will be held on Saturday, October 1st at 2:00 pm at the Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 East Route 66, Flagstaff Arizona.  Memories and condolences can be sent to family online at www.norvelowensmortuary.com