John Durburrow Blair III

John Durburrow Blair III, a Richmond native died Thursday, September 16, 2004 of a heart attack in Maryland, where he had attended a Washington Redskins game. Mr. Blair was president of Blair Transit Company for 32 years, where he succeeded his father. He retired in 1980. Mr. Blair was a 1942 graduate of St. Christopher's School. He attended the University of Virginia for one year, then enlisted in the Marine Corps and transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for two years during WWII. While at Chapel Hill, he played varsity football. He returned for his final year at the University of Virginia. Mr. Blair was active at St. Christopher's School, serving on the alumni board. He was a former member of The Commonwealth Club and The Virginia Creepers. He was a lifelong member of The Country Club of Virginia, where he was an avid tennis player, playing his last match on the Friday before he died. He was a member of St. Stephen's Church. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Shepherd Blair; four children, John Durburrow Blair, James Shepherd Blair, Christopher Pickett Blair and Elizabeth Blair; his daughters-in-law, Karen Blair, Kathleen Blair and Kimberly Blair; his brother, Charles Lathrop Blair; and nine grandchildren, Mary Winston Blair, John Durburrow Blair Jr., Willis Blair, Hunter Blair and Harris Blair, all of Richmond and Ashley Blair, Blake Blair, Meghan Blair and Caroline Blair, all of Dallas, Texas. The family will receive friends 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave. A memorial service will be held Monday, September 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. A private burial service will be held in Hollywood Cemetery preceding the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, St. Christopher's School or St. Catherine's School.