Obituary for
Carl Leroy Blair
Carl Leroy Blair, 77, of Poteau, OK, passed away Sunday, September 02, 2018 in Poteau. He was born September 8, 1940, in Latham, OK to Odis and Gloe (Jones) Blair. He owned L and R Auto Parts in Poteau, a member of the Green Country Cowboy Church and Poteau Masonic Lodge # 46. He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, loved working on cars and had a quirky sense of humor.
Dad loved his family. He didnt say the words I Love you but you knew that he did. I remember once when Carolyn and I were at home after school we were 11, 12 or 13 years old. He called to check on us because it was stormy. He wanted to make sure that we were all right the thing is he never called us when he was at work. It took me years later to realize that was his way of telling us he loved us.
He didnt talk much. How could he with a house full of girls. He also liked working on vehicles. When my son Aaron was 16 years old, Phillip and I had bought him a 1963 Chevy pickup. Dad came over to the house to help him work on the truck. I dont know what they were trying to fix but somehow he got Aaron to put some wires together and Aaron got shocked. Dad just laughed at Aaron.
Dad knew cars. He worked selling car parts all his life. When Phillip and I were off at Durant going to school, I would call him about something wrong on our car. He would tell me what was probably wrong or it could be this or that. I would ask him what would be the most likely and then ask him if he thought that Phillip could fix it. I learned more about cars that way and so did Phillip.
He had a quirky sense of humor. I didnt appreciate his sense of humor until I was much older. He would pick on Mom and I would look at him and see that he was teasing her. She didnt get it most of the time because I would have to tell her that he was teasing her.
One year at Christmas over at my Grandma and Grandpas house he had a big heavy box for mom under the tree. When she opened it she pulled out a heavy chain and a light bulb. She was so mad at him. He had a lamp in one of the bedrooms that was her present. I havent realized until now that how was he supposed to wrap a lamp
Alycia, LaDonnas youngest daughter, is the one that has his sense of humor. Watching them pick on each other by out doing the other was funny.
Leroy is preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of 49 years Rita Blair, three brothers Earl Blair, Dean Blair and James Blair, and son-in-law Bill Purcell.
Survivors include his three daughters, Brenda Hebert and husband Phillip, Carolyn Purcell, and LaDonna English and husband Jeff all of Poteau, two brothers, Kenny Blair of Panama and Rick Blair of Michigan, three sisters, Loretta Urchison of Broken Arrow, Sharon Smith of Admore, and Debbie Walls of Panama, five grandchildren, Chris Adams, Aaron Hebert, Jennifer Westerman, Jordanna Morris, and SrA Alycia Morris, eight great grandchildren, Kinsey Adams, Lucas Lamphere, Alexis Adams, Caleb Adams, Bella Hebert, Sophie Westerman, Harmony Brainard, and Vincent Warren, special friend, Janell Darneal of Poteau, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members, friends, and loved ones.
Pallbearers will be Mike Darneal, Charley Marler, Monty Shockley, Earl Jobe, Steve Morris, and Larry Brown
Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Green Country Cowboy Church Poteau, Oklahoma, with Rev. Victor Sweet officiating. Interment will follow the service at Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, Oklahoma. Visitation will be Wednesday 8:30 AM 8:00 PM with the family greeting friends from 6:00 PM 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Grace Manor Funeral Home, Poteau, OK. You may leave an on-line greeting to the family at www.gracemanorfh.com
SERVICES

Visitation

Wednesday, September 05, 2018
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Grace Manor Funeral Home
28918 205th AVE
POTEAU, Oklahoma 74953

Wednesday, September 05, 2018
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grace Manor Funeral Home
28918 205th AVE
POTEAU, Oklahoma 74953

Thursday, September 06, 2018
2:00 PM

Green Country Cowboy Church
23980 Kerr Mansion Rd
Poteau, OK 74953