Richard “Dick” Donald Blair

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Richard "Dick" Donald Blair, age 93, born in Portsmouth, Ohio and a resident of Daphne, Alabama, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2019.

Mr. Blair went into the Army in 1943. Served under General Clay in the 26th Infantry 1st Division. He then went into the 3rd Army Military Police and road motorcycle division under Gen. George Patton. He was in the 1st Infantry Division and landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

At the commencement of the 60th Anniversary of D-Day Invasion, June 6, 2004, he was one of fewer than 100 U.S. veterans that traveled to Normandy to sit on the platform during the ceremonies and he was greeted by dignitaries and heads of state prior to President Bush's speech. He was then honored by the mayor of Normandy with a commemorative medal and a special medal for meritability.

After discharge from the military he moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the Chesapeake and Potomac telephone company in the Pentagon. In 1969 he and his wife, Ruth moved to Alpine, Texas and he worked for Southwestern Bell until his retirement.

Dick really enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He often went to Canada to hunt and fish for salmon. He was a member of the NRA. He was a Mason for over 50 years and was honored for his fifty-year service.

After the death of his wife, Ruth, in Alpine, Texas, he moved to Daphne, Alabama in 2009 and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Fairhope and was very active in many activities within the church. It was a joy to hear him sing over the years. I know where he is singing now along with his sweet wife. He loved his men's Sunday school class and participated in Jubileers.

Mr. Blair was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Ruth Leola Chambers Blair; his sister, Martha Jean Stroup; his brother, David Morrow Blair; and his parents, Donald Lewis and Clara Margaret Blair.

Survivors include his daughter, Helen ( Lynn) Allison of Fairhope, Alabama; granddaughters, Robin ( Emmel) Woolbright and Traci (Terry Davidson) Copeland; great-grandchildren, Blair (Seth) Tinsley, Adam ( Kat) Lee , Payton (Rebekah) Copeland and Hunter Copeland; great-great-grandchildren, Isabella Tinsley, Ava Tinsley, Declan Tinsley and Korben Lee; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

Graveside services and interment for family and friends will be held at Elm-Grove Cemetery, Alpine, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 at 10 a.m.

We want to thank Robertsdale Rehab and Healthcare Center in Robertsdale, Alabama, from Dr. Porter, Nurses Teresa and Angelia and especially his PT nurse Michele and so many others he just adored. He even sang during his PT time. Not enough can be said about Robertsdale Rehab for they took such good care of him.

Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 19698 Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532, 251-990-7775, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.