Jack H. Blair

1940 - 2024

Jack H. Blair of Germantown, TN, passed away April 20, 2024.

My Dad, Jack Blair, was a spy.

He was also a fisherman, a Memphis Tigers Fan, and a loyal friend. He was kindhearted, giving and a goofball. The ultimate optimist who never turned down a free drink or a party.

He loved telling stories, had a weakness for red headed women and enjoyed all kinds of music. He was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan although the Tennessee Titans were a close second. He loved road trips and travel.

THE BEGINNING
But let's start at the beginning. His parents, Jack H. Blair Sr. and Virginia Taylor, met while working at Wonder Bread. Jack Howard Blair, Jr. was born on October 22, 1940 at Baptist Midtown in Memphis TN, three days before his future wife, Joy Elizabeth Patterson (more on that love story to follow). His parents divorced but not before producing two younger brothers, Robert and James. His mother remarried and soon Jack was helping his stepfather, Jimmy Hayes, at his hardware store. At the age of ten he was making deliveries, putting together bikes and learning a strong work ethic, a trait that would serve him well later in life.

School wasn't his strong suit, but he got through it. After graduating from Treadwell High School in 1958, he enrolled at Memphis State. After one semester, he knew college wasn't for him and joined the Air Force.

THE LOVE STORY
Before we get to the spy stuff, we must talk about the love story! Jack and Joy met in kindergarten and although they attended K-12 together, they orbited different circles. Think Sandy and Danny in Grease. She was a cute redhead with glasses who loved reading, animals and playing her French horn. He greased his hair, drove cool cars and considered himself a bad boy. After high school Jack got the courage to ask Joy out and to his surprise she said yes. They dated steadily until Jack shipped out to his first assignment, which was three years in Scotland. They made a vow to get married when he returned but until then they were both free to date and even though Jack did send Joy a ring from overseas, they both saw other people. They got married on January 19, 1964 and their only child, Jennifer Joy, was born on October 30, 1964. The family was complete, and the adventures began.

ADVENTURES AND SPY STUFF
In the Air Force, Jack was assigned to military intelligence. With the cold war raging, he learned Russian and was sent to secure listening posts around the world. First stop, Scotland. Three years later, he returned to the US, married, and was stationed in San Angelo, Texas. Next stop, with family now in tow, was Ankara Turkey, then back to Texas, where he taught his fellow soldiers. After two years in Texas, Jack was deployed to Viet Nam. Upon his return the family spent four years in Anchorage Alaska. Next was three years on the island Crete in Greece and the final stop before retiring was at the National Security Agency (NSA) at Ft. Meade, Maryland. Jack's job was classified but essential to the security of the United States and her allies.

AFTER RETIREMENT
After spending twenty years in the Air Force, Jack retired in 1978. Jack, Joy and Jennifer moved backed to Memphis to be close to friends and family and Jack enrolled at State Tech on the GI Bill and got an associate's degree in the emerging field of computer science. This time his college career was successful, with a 4.0 GPA and various offices in student government.

His first job was at Buckman Laboratories but after a few years he moved on to an up and coming business named Inventory Locator Service. He came to the realization that he loved this new company, but he didn't love programming. Jack was too social to be stuck behind a computer all day. Lucky for him, ILS recognized what an asset he was and moved him to the position of Manager Office Services, a job he stayed in until his second retirement in 2007, after 22 years.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK
It was at ILS that Jack met his best friend, Stan Farmer. They quickly became inseparable and when Jack wasn't with his family, you could find him and Stan getting into some mischief. They fished, attended sporting events and traveled together. For many years they were on a Memphis BBQ team (Jowls) at the World Famous Memphis in May BBQ Contest. One year, Jack won third in sauce and Stan won the Miss Piggy contest. Friends for thirty-seven years, their escapades were legendary and too many to recount here.

FAMILY
Ret M/Sgt Jack H. Blair is preceded in death by his parents, Jack Blair, Sr. and Virginia (Kiki) Hayes. Also, by his stepfather, Jimmy Hayes and his youngest brother, James Blair. Joy, his wife of fifty-eight years left this earth a year before him, likely to make sure heaven would be ready. He leaves behind his aunt, Jane Godman, his brother Robert, his half-sisters Brenda Lawler and Linda Waldon and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves his daughter, Jennifer, two dogs (Dancer and Sunny) and two cats (Apollo and Adonis). And his faithful friend, Stan.

TO HONOR JACK
The best way to honor Jack is to take a road trip. Travel somewhere new. Go to a concert. Raise a glass. Give a $2 bill to tip.

Live life to its fullest, like he did.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 p.m. all in the Riverside Chapel of Memorial Park. Inurnment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.