Day's obituary is now available online and will be in the Ogden Standard Examiner tomorrow (Tuesday 7/9). It is difficult to see it in print even though we wrote it together as a family. It is hard to capture dad in so few words.
Below is a link to where you can see it online and I have posted it here.
KAYSVILLE - Carl Dean Blair passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 6, 2013 as a result of injuries sustained in a cycling accident.
He was born February 19, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Donald Albert and Ann Brinkerhoff Blair. Carl grew up in Clearfield and graduated from Clearfield High School. He graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and from the University of Utah with a master's degree in human resource management.
When he was 16 he met the love of his life, Marilyn Harmer. Four years later they were married in the Salt Lake Temple and were blessed with four children over the next 12 years. They lived in Ogden, Syracuse, Clearfield, and Kaysville. As a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in two bishoprics, numerous leadership roles with the youth, and most recently enjoyed serving in the primary.
Carl was the Business Continuity/Leadership Trainer for Kroger (Smith's Food and Drug), where he worked for 38 years. As a dynamic leader, many respected him for his ability to engage others both one-on-one and at the group level. He was admired and respected by his colleagues and touched the lives of all who knew him. He had tireless energy and enthusiasm that made him both a tremendous leader in business and church service callings as well as a wrestling companion with his grandchildren.
Carl was an amazing example of service to everyone he knew. He was a devoted son to his loving mother and was never too busy to help her. He also became an honorary son to several widows he home taught for 20 plus years, never missing a month and making sure they felt loved and cared for.
He had a passion for life and enjoyed cycling, hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling -- especially with his family. His happiest days were days spent with the family at his cabin in Farmington Canyon. As a disciplined cyclist, he started and completed the Lotoja (Logan to Jackson) bike race 25 years.
While he excelled in all areas of his life, his greatest love was his family. He loved his best friend and eternal companion, Marilyn, with his entire heart and showed it daily with notes, flowers, and gifts for every occasion. As a father, he always made himself available and his children knew that whatever help they needed was only a phone call away.
He is preceded in death by his father, father in law, and mother in law.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn and his children: Jeff (Kim) Blair of Saratoga Springs, Julie Blair of Gilbert, AZ, Rand (Suzanne) Blair of Lehi, and Lindsay Blair of Salt Lake City and 9 grandchildren: Taylor, Ashley, Emily, Parker, Cayden, Carter, Cole, Ethan, and Spencer as well as a granddaughter due in November. He is also survived by his mother and his siblings, Lynn (Rosemary), Max (Sharon), Anneta (Kim) Choate, and Zella (Blair) Johnson.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the caring staff of the Ogden Regional Medical Center ICU for the care and comfort they provided to Carl and his family. They are also grateful for the many kind acts of service extended to them during this difficult time.
Dad, we love you more than words can express and are so grateful for all the time we were able to spend with you. Thanks for teaching us to work hard and play hard.
Carl, you have been my best bud for 44 years. I will miss you every day until I see you again because you know...I love you like crazy!
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Kaysville Stake Center, 855 E. Mutton Hollow Road, Kaysville, UT. Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared atreddogriding@gmail.com.
He was born February 19, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Donald Albert and Ann Brinkerhoff Blair. Carl grew up in Clearfield and graduated from Clearfield High School. He graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and from the University of Utah with a master's degree in human resource management.
When he was 16 he met the love of his life, Marilyn Harmer. Four years later they were married in the Salt Lake Temple and were blessed with four children over the next 12 years. They lived in Ogden, Syracuse, Clearfield, and Kaysville. As a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in two bishoprics, numerous leadership roles with the youth, and most recently enjoyed serving in the primary.
Carl was the Business Continuity/Leadership Trainer for Kroger (Smith's Food and Drug), where he worked for 38 years. As a dynamic leader, many respected him for his ability to engage others both one-on-one and at the group level. He was admired and respected by his colleagues and touched the lives of all who knew him. He had tireless energy and enthusiasm that made him both a tremendous leader in business and church service callings as well as a wrestling companion with his grandchildren.
Carl was an amazing example of service to everyone he knew. He was a devoted son to his loving mother and was never too busy to help her. He also became an honorary son to several widows he home taught for 20 plus years, never missing a month and making sure they felt loved and cared for.
He had a passion for life and enjoyed cycling, hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling -- especially with his family. His happiest days were days spent with the family at his cabin in Farmington Canyon. As a disciplined cyclist, he started and completed the Lotoja (Logan to Jackson) bike race 25 years.
While he excelled in all areas of his life, his greatest love was his family. He loved his best friend and eternal companion, Marilyn, with his entire heart and showed it daily with notes, flowers, and gifts for every occasion. As a father, he always made himself available and his children knew that whatever help they needed was only a phone call away.
He is preceded in death by his father, father in law, and mother in law.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn and his children: Jeff (Kim) Blair of Saratoga Springs, Julie Blair of Gilbert, AZ, Rand (Suzanne) Blair of Lehi, and Lindsay Blair of Salt Lake City and 9 grandchildren: Taylor, Ashley, Emily, Parker, Cayden, Carter, Cole, Ethan, and Spencer as well as a granddaughter due in November. He is also survived by his mother and his siblings, Lynn (Rosemary), Max (Sharon), Anneta (Kim) Choate, and Zella (Blair) Johnson.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the caring staff of the Ogden Regional Medical Center ICU for the care and comfort they provided to Carl and his family. They are also grateful for the many kind acts of service extended to them during this difficult time.
Dad, we love you more than words can express and are so grateful for all the time we were able to spend with you. Thanks for teaching us to work hard and play hard.
Carl, you have been my best bud for 44 years. I will miss you every day until I see you again because you know...I love you like crazy!
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Kaysville Stake Center, 855 E. Mutton Hollow Road, Kaysville, UT. Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared atreddogriding@gmail.com.
My deepest sympathy for the Blair family. A loss that has touched so many of us and thank you for sharing informaton on the blog about Carl.Reading what each of you had to say about him says so much about his character. Husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, helper, friend, and the list goes on. I only had the privilege of knowiing Carl for a very short time through the National Logistics Cultural Council and the first time I got to listen to him speak/teach I was in awe that he was so relaxed, no notes, talking a mile a minute, constant motion and making a whole lot of sense! Had come prepared with slides (mostly for those of us that needed visual along with the verbal)but rarely referred to them but knew when he needed to progress to the next slide without looking. I was thinking OMG! who is this guy? and why isn't he running for President!!! I was impressed if you couldn't tell! He was one of kind and he will be missed. May your hearts always hold him close and your memories live forever. Hugs for each of you, Dianna Sneed Dillon Stores Hutchinson, KS
ReplyDeleteRod Arquette paid tribute to Carl yesterday on his show (David found it)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.knrs.com/player/?station=KNRS-FM&program_name=podcast&program_id=RodArquette.xml&mid=23437993
It starts at 00:40:00
The obituary is beautifully written and pays great tribute to Carl. Rod Arquette's 6 minute reflection on his interactions with Carl on KNRS radio was touching as well (thanks Graydon for posting the link).
ReplyDelete