BG, John 'Jack' Scott Blair

Brigadier General John “Jack” Blair
United States Army, Retired
June 8, 1928 - September 2, 2024

John “Jack” Blair of Sierra Vista passed away on September 2, 2024. He was 96 years old. He was born on June 8, 1928, in Decatur, Illinois to Harold and Hazel Blair.

Jack began his 32-year Army career as a Private in 1948 in the Illinois National Guard and a few years later was promoted to Second Lieutenant. His unit was activated for the Korean War where he served 18 months. He decided to make the Army a career and in 1958 received a Regular Army Commission. In 1963 the Army sent him to the University of Omaha where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Jack later earned a master’s degree from George Washington University. He was then assigned to Vietnam where he served as the Signal Advisor for the III Corps. Further assignments took him to many other states and countries, including El Salvador and Germany. He attended the Command and General Staff College and the National War College. Jack commanded two companies during the Korean Conflict, the 26th Signal Battalion and the 7th Signal Brigade in Germany. He also served as the Commanding General of the 7th Signal Command in Fort Ritchie. He retired in 1980 as a Brigadier General.

Loving Sierra Vista, he retired here and later was the Vice President of Arizona for Tenneco, until it was purchased by Castle and Cooke. He was responsible for much of the development around Pueblo del Sol (PDS) Country Club as well as helping PDS become one of the premier courses in Arizona and attracting some of the best golfers in the state to play. Jack was also a very skilled golfer who won many Army tournaments as well as local, state, and regional tournaments. He also competed in national tournaments. He was the Arizona state player of the year and recently received the Dr. Ed Updegraff award for contributions to Arizona golf (only one per year is awarded). He was a competitive golfer into his 90s. The General Jack Blair Best Ball Tournament has been held in his honor for the last several years at PDS, which has attracted the best golfers in the state.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years Elizabeth “Betty”, three sons (Jack Jr., Jeff, and Jim), six grandchildren (Scott, Dana, Michelle, Katie, Daniel and David), 13 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Jack was predeceased by three grandchildren (Thomas, Ryan, and Kelly), and a daughter-in-law Elizabeth Ann "Annie". He was a proud husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, and great-great grandpa. Everyone looked forward to getting a ride in his golf cart when they visited.

A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church, 3225 St. Andrews Drive, on Friday, September 6, at 10 a.m. It will be followed by a reception at PDS Country Club immediately after the service. The family has requested casual attire for both. A private family interment will follow the reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to the Warrior Healing Center which can be done online at warriorhealingcenter.com, or in person at the Center, 1838 Paseo San Luis, in Sierra Vista.

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