Wayne Blair

(From Parker Mortuary)

Troy 'Wayne' Blair, age 79, Joplin, passed away at 7:10 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Wayne was born November 13, 1940 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to the late Rev. Troy Leslie Blair and Vida Belle Pinkston Blair and had lived in Joplin since 1985.

Wayne enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958. He began his naval service as an aviation electronics repair technician and sailed the seas on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Throughout his service he saw many ports and had many encounters. He was very proud to have served as an aide to President Eisenhower and even golfed with him. Wayne later worked for Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical as a purchasing agent. This afforded him the opportunity to work on the AH-64A Apache attack helicopter project.

 In 1985 he was offered a position with Midcon Cables and decided to move the family from San Diego, California to Joplin, Missouri. He worked as a buyer’s representative and held this position with Midcon until he retired. Wayne liked to play golf, had several classic automobiles, including a 1960 T-Bird Roadster, 1959 El Camino and a 1971 Chevelle SS Convertible. However, his greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and friends at his lake house. He will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him.

Wayne was larger than life itself. He did not hesitate to help others in need and was extremely generous. He was a very humble person that was raised in a Christian home. Wayne helped to start Teen Challenge, an organization that helped individuals get back on their feet by providing training and support in getting back to work.

In 1959, Wayne married Jean LaVonne Everson and had two children, Sheri LaVonne Campbell and Michael Wayne Blair.

On June 29, 1974, Wayne married Cindy Blazevic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include his children, Sheri LaVonne Campbell and husband, Anthony DeWayne, San Diego, California, Michael Wayne Blair and wife, Melinda Lee, Joplin, Leslie Nicole DuRall, Joplin, Tiffany Lynn Blair, Webb City; grandchildren, Anthony DeWayne Campbell, Jr., Christopher Eugene Campbell and wife, Danina, Nicholas Andre` Campbell, Michaela Lee Blair, Melia Beth Blair, Hayden Lee DuRall and wife, Brittainy, Evan Troy DuRall, Nick Gregory Cheeseman, Tyler Matthew Blair-Arnall, Briana Lynn Blair-Arnall; great grandchildren, Anthony DeWayne Campbell III, Aniyah LaRue Campbell, Melina Marie Porter, Liliana LaVonne Campbell, Christopher Eugene Campbell, Jr., Molly Joanne DuRall, Phineas Joel DuRall, Winter Moon DuRall, Ruby Elizabeth DuRall, Matthew Gage DuRall; and several other extended family members.

A visitation is planned for Thursday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary.

Funeral services are planned for Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Greenhill Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Voice Project, in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.