Donald C. Blair

Feb. 27, 1928 - Feb. 25, 2004

Donald C. Blair of Albany died Feb. 25 at the El Centro Regional Medical Center in El Centro, Calif., following a single-car accident. He was 75.

He was born in McMinnville to Ernest V. and Harriet B. Blaker Blair. He graduated in 1946 from McMinnville High School, then obtained his private pilot's license from the McMinnville Flying School and enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served as the Chaplain's assistant at the station hospital at Scott Field, Ill., and was honorably discharged in 1947.

Returning to McMinnville, he attended Linfield College, then worked as a shoe salesman in Yreka, Calif.

In the late 1950s he returned to the mid-valley, where he met Aganetha "Aggie" Anna Wall. They were married in Dallas, Ore., on June 5, 1959.

They moved to Medford and then to North Albany. He worked for the Albany Democrat-Herald as an advertising salesman, then for the city of Albany's public works department. He took nursing and laboratory technician classes at Linn-Benton Community College, and worked 10 years as an equipment operator for Autumn Seed Company.

After his retirement, he and his wife traveled and spent winters in Yuma, Ariz. She died in June 2002.

A member of North Albany Community Church, he enjoyed serving in the church and supporting its missionaries. He enjoyed flying, fly fishing, tinkering with electronics, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his daughters, Peggy Boe of Albany and Jackie Banning of Kennewick, Wash.; brother, Robert Blair of Milwaukie; sister, Betty Burchell of MacKenzie Bridge; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, at North Albany Community Church, 1273 Thornton Lake Drive. The Rev. Dennis Holbert and Pastor Larry Gordon will officiate. Private family interment will be at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the North Albany Community Church Missionary Fund or the American Cancer Society, either directly or in care of AAsum Funeral Home, 805 Ellsworth St. SW, Albany, OR 97321.