John Eugene Blair

 John Eugene Blair, the son of John and Maggie Marie Morris, was born March 23, 1928 in Webb, IA.  John was raised in the Greenville area where he received his early education and graduated from the Greenville High School in 1945.  John then entered the United States Navy until his Honorable discharge in 1946. He then attended and graduated from hairdressing school in Sioux City.  

     On May 28, 1949, he married Marlyn Gale Blair, at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer.  The couple spent their entire married life in Spencer.  John owned and operated the Blair House of Beauty for many years.  He served as Past President of the local Hairdressers Association, member of the American Legion for over 70 years and served on the Legion Honor Guard, which he was very proud to do.  John was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir.  John and Marlyn celebrated 73 years of marriage on May 28, 2022.  Every year on their anniversary John would ask her, do you think it’s going to last?  Marlyn would always say the verdict is still out!  In his spare time, John enjoyed working and riding in his antique cars.

     John passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024 at the age of 96 at the Spencer Hospital.  He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlyn in 2022; daughter, Angela; 3 brothers: Norman Everett, Gary Dean and Arlo Wayne.

     Left to cherish his memory are his son and his wife, Tom and Kerin Blair of Spencer, IA; son-in-law, Steven Brandt of Portland, OR; grandchildren: John (Taylor) Brant, Scott Brant, Audrey (Neil) Zelenski, Brett (Sarah) Preston, Daniel Preston and James Preston; great grandchildren: Hudson Brant, Amelia and Alice Zelenski; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.