Douglas Peter Blair passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 10, 2017. He was born on June 10, 1934 in Corning, NY to George Elmer Blair and Alice Bernice (Salls) Blair Clow, both also natives of New York state.
Soon after, the family moved to Quincy, IL, and Doug would live the rest of his life in Illinois except for his two year stint in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
He was the beloved husband of Martha Ann Blair, until her passing in 2012, just short of their 56th wedding anniversary.
Loving father of Roger Blair and his wife Fran of Texas, John Blair and his wife Karen of Illinois, and Steve Blair and his wife Teresa of Maryland. Grandfather of Lacey Swain, Joshua Blair, Kyle Blair, Tara Blair, and Meghan Blair. Brother of Daniel Blair of Maryland; Donald Blair, Betty Hay, Thomas Blair, and Robert Blair, all of Illinois.
He was also particularly thankful for the friendship of his "work family" at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).
He was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Alice, as well as his brother Richard Blair of California.
Doug learned responsibility and a strong work ethic early in life as the oldest sibling in a single parent family; holding down numerous part time jobs while attending Quincy High School and also achieving notable success in sports with a 2nd place finish at the state wrestling tournament and earning a football scholarship to attend Illinois State University.
After a football career ending injury his freshman year, Doug enlisted in the US Air Force and served two years while achieving the rank of sergeant. He then took advantage of the GI Bill to re-enroll at Illinois State, where he met his life-long love and companion, Martha Ann Glisson (soon to be Blair).
Doug began teaching at Downs Elementary after just two years of college, but ultimately earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Education from Illinois State on a part-time basis while he worked full time as an educator and, with Martha, raised a family.
Doug worked as an educator for over 55 years in roles as varying as teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and then for the 2nd half of his career as a Director of Field Services for the IASB.
He held a term as Mayor of Downs, IL but had to step down when he moved to Atlanta, IL in 1965 where he was instrumental in forming the Olympia School District which became the largest geographic size of any school district in the state.
As Superintendent of the Olympia district he was the driving force behind the development of Olympia High School (1972) which took students of 8 small towns and gave them an opportunity to attend a larger High School.
The resources available at Olympia High School exposed students to a college prep curriculum for the first time in their history. He was a strong supporter and proponent of public education his whole adult life.
Memorial Gathering: 2-4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
Memorial Service: 4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, with Pastor Nicole Cox officiating.
Soon after, the family moved to Quincy, IL, and Doug would live the rest of his life in Illinois except for his two year stint in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
He was the beloved husband of Martha Ann Blair, until her passing in 2012, just short of their 56th wedding anniversary.
Loving father of Roger Blair and his wife Fran of Texas, John Blair and his wife Karen of Illinois, and Steve Blair and his wife Teresa of Maryland. Grandfather of Lacey Swain, Joshua Blair, Kyle Blair, Tara Blair, and Meghan Blair. Brother of Daniel Blair of Maryland; Donald Blair, Betty Hay, Thomas Blair, and Robert Blair, all of Illinois.
He was also particularly thankful for the friendship of his "work family" at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).
He was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Alice, as well as his brother Richard Blair of California.
Doug learned responsibility and a strong work ethic early in life as the oldest sibling in a single parent family; holding down numerous part time jobs while attending Quincy High School and also achieving notable success in sports with a 2nd place finish at the state wrestling tournament and earning a football scholarship to attend Illinois State University.
After a football career ending injury his freshman year, Doug enlisted in the US Air Force and served two years while achieving the rank of sergeant. He then took advantage of the GI Bill to re-enroll at Illinois State, where he met his life-long love and companion, Martha Ann Glisson (soon to be Blair).
Doug began teaching at Downs Elementary after just two years of college, but ultimately earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Education from Illinois State on a part-time basis while he worked full time as an educator and, with Martha, raised a family.
Doug worked as an educator for over 55 years in roles as varying as teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and then for the 2nd half of his career as a Director of Field Services for the IASB.
He held a term as Mayor of Downs, IL but had to step down when he moved to Atlanta, IL in 1965 where he was instrumental in forming the Olympia School District which became the largest geographic size of any school district in the state.
As Superintendent of the Olympia district he was the driving force behind the development of Olympia High School (1972) which took students of 8 small towns and gave them an opportunity to attend a larger High School.
The resources available at Olympia High School exposed students to a college prep curriculum for the first time in their history. He was a strong supporter and proponent of public education his whole adult life.
Memorial Gathering: 2-4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
Memorial Service: 4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, with Pastor Nicole Cox officiating.
Douglas Peter Blair passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 10, 2017. He was born on June 10, 1934 in Corning, NY to George Elmer Blair and Alice Bernice (Salls) Blair Clow, both also natives of New York state.
Soon after, the family moved to Quincy, IL, and Doug would live the rest of his life in Illinois except for his two year stint in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
He was the beloved husband of Martha Ann Blair, until her passing in 2012, just short of their 56th wedding anniversary.
Loving father of Roger Blair and his wife Fran of Texas, John Blair and his wife Karen of Illinois, and Steve Blair and his wife Teresa of Maryland. Grandfather of Lacey Swain, Joshua Blair, Kyle Blair, Tara Blair, and Meghan Blair. Brother of Daniel Blair of Maryland; Donald Blair, Betty Hay, Thomas Blair, and Robert Blair, all of Illinois.
He was also particularly thankful for the friendship of his "work family" at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).
He was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Alice, as well as his brother Richard Blair of California.
Doug learned responsibility and a strong work ethic early in life as the oldest sibling in a single parent family; holding down numerous part time jobs while attending Quincy High School and also achieving notable success in sports with a 2nd place finish at the state wrestling tournament and earning a football scholarship to attend Illinois State University.
After a football career ending injury his freshman year, Doug enlisted in the US Air Force and served two years while achieving the rank of sergeant. He then took advantage of the GI Bill to re-enroll at Illinois State, where he met his life-long love and companion, Martha Ann Glisson (soon to be Blair).
Doug began teaching at Downs Elementary after just two years of college, but ultimately earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Education from Illinois State on a part-time basis while he worked full time as an educator and, with Martha, raised a family.
Doug worked as an educator for over 55 years in roles as varying as teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and then for the 2nd half of his career as a Director of Field Services for the IASB.
He held a term as Mayor of Downs, IL but had to step down when he moved to Atlanta, IL in 1965 where he was instrumental in forming the Olympia School District which became the largest geographic size of any school district in the state.
As Superintendent of the Olympia district he was the driving force behind the development of Olympia High School (1972) which took students of 8 small towns and gave them an opportunity to attend a larger High School.
The resources available at Olympia High School exposed students to a college prep curriculum for the first time in their history. He was a strong supporter and proponent of public education his whole adult life.
Memorial Gathering: 2-4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
Memorial Service: 4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, with Pastor Nicole Cox officiating.
Soon after, the family moved to Quincy, IL, and Doug would live the rest of his life in Illinois except for his two year stint in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
He was the beloved husband of Martha Ann Blair, until her passing in 2012, just short of their 56th wedding anniversary.
Loving father of Roger Blair and his wife Fran of Texas, John Blair and his wife Karen of Illinois, and Steve Blair and his wife Teresa of Maryland. Grandfather of Lacey Swain, Joshua Blair, Kyle Blair, Tara Blair, and Meghan Blair. Brother of Daniel Blair of Maryland; Donald Blair, Betty Hay, Thomas Blair, and Robert Blair, all of Illinois.
He was also particularly thankful for the friendship of his "work family" at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).
He was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Alice, as well as his brother Richard Blair of California.
Doug learned responsibility and a strong work ethic early in life as the oldest sibling in a single parent family; holding down numerous part time jobs while attending Quincy High School and also achieving notable success in sports with a 2nd place finish at the state wrestling tournament and earning a football scholarship to attend Illinois State University.
After a football career ending injury his freshman year, Doug enlisted in the US Air Force and served two years while achieving the rank of sergeant. He then took advantage of the GI Bill to re-enroll at Illinois State, where he met his life-long love and companion, Martha Ann Glisson (soon to be Blair).
Doug began teaching at Downs Elementary after just two years of college, but ultimately earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Education from Illinois State on a part-time basis while he worked full time as an educator and, with Martha, raised a family.
Doug worked as an educator for over 55 years in roles as varying as teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and then for the 2nd half of his career as a Director of Field Services for the IASB.
He held a term as Mayor of Downs, IL but had to step down when he moved to Atlanta, IL in 1965 where he was instrumental in forming the Olympia School District which became the largest geographic size of any school district in the state.
As Superintendent of the Olympia district he was the driving force behind the development of Olympia High School (1972) which took students of 8 small towns and gave them an opportunity to attend a larger High School.
The resources available at Olympia High School exposed students to a college prep curriculum for the first time in their history. He was a strong supporter and proponent of public education his whole adult life.
Memorial Gathering: 2-4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
Memorial Service: 4 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, with Pastor Nicole Cox officiating.
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