A memorial service for James "Dale" Blair, 92, of Cornelia will be held Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cornelia followed by visitation in the fellowship hall.
Dale passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.
Born April 21, 1930, in Cornelia, Dale was a son of Aldridge and Aileen Blair. He was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Blair.
He grew up in Cornelia and graduated from Cornelia High School in 1947. He then attended Georgia Institute of Technology, Southern Technical Institute, and Piedmont College. He started his career as an engineer at Lockheed Corporation in Marietta. He was called to the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in Germany in an anti-aircraft intelligence unit during the Korean War. Upon returning home in 1954, Dale joined his father as a managing co-owner at Blair Oil Company where he worked for 32 years until selling the business in 1986.
He was a lifelong and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Cornelia, serving as treasurer, chairman of deacons, Sunday school teacher, leader of Royal Ambassadors (RAs), and one of the founders and leaders of Camp Agape, a summer camp for underprivileged youth in the community. He was also an active volunteer with Baptist Disaster Relief Organization and went on two mission trips to Liberia in Africa helping to build churches that are still in operation today.
Dale was active in various other community outreach programs including Boy Scouts of America as a troop leader for Troop 24 in Cornelia, Habitat for Humanity, Circle of Hope, Sharing and Caring, Meals on Wheels, Youth Mentoring Program with Habersham County Schools, and the board of trustees at Truett-McConnell College.
Dale was a devoted husband, father, "Grandaddy," and friend. He was a true southern gentleman and humble servant for the Lord and was beloved by all who knew him.
Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Sue Kimsey Blair; his sister, Pat Blair Carter; his son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Brinkley Blair; daughter, Suzanne Blair Ansley and Graham Bell; and daughter-in-law, Faith Saganek Blair. Grandchildren are Dakota and Lisa Blair and great-grandchildren are Georgia Blair, Sophia Blair, Randy, Brinkley, and Mitchell Blair, Brendon Ansley and fiance, Katie Sears, and Britt and Noah Ansley.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in Dale's honor, memorials may be made to the Missions Fund at Cornelia First Baptist Church, P.O Box 96, Cornelia GA 30531, Sharing and Caring at sharingandcaring.org, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, Baldwin.