Tommy Blair

(From Clark Funeral Home)

James Thomas Blair went to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, at the age of 84 years, 4 months, and 23 days. Tommy was born on October 6, 1941, to James Robert and Ruby Loraine (Neff) Blair in the dusty panhandle of Beaver, Oklahoma.

He attended high school in Hardesty, Oklahoma, where he was involved in ROTC, and was a member of the 1959 graduating class. After graduation, Tommy enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served for 9 years. He was a Lieutenant in the 101st Chaplaincy in Kansas City, Missouri. 

 

Tommy met Karen Ratlief, at a youth party hosted by the BSU while both were attending college at Panhandle State University in Goodwill, Oklahoma. Karen oversaw activities for Presidents Day Weekend where she organized the activity requiring students to make something patriotic out of bubble gum. Tommy made a bubble gum flag that won the game, and apparently, Karen’s heart. After they both graduated, Tommy and Karen were wed in Guymon, Oklahoma, on August 7, 1964. They shared 61 years of marriage before Tommy’s passing.

The newlyweds moved to Northern Kansas City, Missouri where Tommy attended Midwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. After graduating with a Master of Divinity, he began pastoring at Englewood Baptist of North Kansas City, Missouri. He was then called to serve as the Youth Director of Linden Baptist Church, also of North Kansas City. He later accepted a position at Mission Baptist where he led music at the mission church and then went back to preach at the home campus. Over the years they were called to pastor at First Baptist of Salisbury, Missouri, First Baptist in Cameron, Missouri, and First Baptist of Aurora, Missouri. In late 1998, Tommy and Karen moved to Neosho, Missouri where he took the position of Director of Missions for Shoal Creek Baptist Association. He proudly served for 21 years until his retirement in 2020.

Tommy loved spending time with his family, attending car shows both as a participant with one of his classic cars or as a spectator, taking trips to Branson with Karen, serving at church, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. He was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Neosho, Missouri and of Greater Ozarks Chapter of Pontiac-Oakland Club International. He spent countless hours tearing down his classic cars and restoring them to their former glory. He also enjoyed making stained glass art pieces he could give to friends and family as gifts.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughters: Dana Blair of Neosho, Missouri, and Jill Richardson, and husband, Joe of Blue Springs Missouri; four grandchildren: Brett Blair and wife, Kelcey, Colby Blair and wife, Pypher, Cooper Richardson and fiancé Lindsey Ham, and Thomas Richardson; great-grandchildren: Landry Blair, Hudson Blair, Ezra Blair, Theodore Blair, Toby Blair, Matthias Blair, Arthur Blair, and Josephine Blair. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Mark Thomas Blair; his brother, Edward Blair; his sister, Sharon Brown; and his twin brother, Robert Blair.

Visitation will be at Clark Funeral Home in Neosho, Missouri, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Calvary Baptist of Neosho, Missouri. A Private Family Graveside Service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or Calvary Baptist Church of Neosho c/o Clark Funeral Home P.O. Box 66 Neosho, Missouri 64850.