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Robert K. "Bob" Blair, age 95, of Milesville, died Sunday, May 28, 2006, at the Philip Nursing Home.

Robert K. Blair, better known as "Bob" to his family and friends, was born August 30, 1910 in Pierce, Nebraska, the son of Thomas and Katherine (Ottman) Blair.

At the age of nine months, he moved with his family to a ranch above Cedar Pass in the Badlands of South Dakota. He grew up in the Cottonwood area and received his education in that community. As a young man he started ranching for himself on a ranch southeast of Cottonwood.

Bob was united in marriage to Inga C. Olson on December 22, 1932 in Philip, South Dakota.

They made their home on the ranch southeast of Cottonwood until 1942 when they moved to the Hoag Ranch southeast of the Cheyenne River bridge where they ranched until 1946 when they moved to their present ranch. They operated the ranch until 2002, when health reasons forced him to retire. 

His wife, Inga, preceded him in death on September 17, 2002. In January 2003 he moved into the Philip Nursing Home, where he has since resided.

Bob was a former member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Grateful for having share his life are two sons, James Blair and his wife Sandra of Pierre, and Kelly Blair of Milesville; a daughter Sandra Gittings and her husband George of Philip; eight grandchildren; Todd Blair and his wife Tamara, Tanya Fillingim and her husband Schon, Tiffanie Wakeley and her husband Brian, Robin Gittings and his wife Penny, Roxie Gittings, Dan Blair, Pam Blair and Theo Blair; ten great-grandchildren; a special friend Jean Snyder of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife Inga, Bob was preceded in death by a grandson Kurt Allen Blair; his parents; five brothers, Charles, Thomas, George, William and John Blair as an infant; and his twin sisters, Grace May and Katherine Amelia Blair as children.

Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the hall on Thursday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.

Interment was 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the Blair Family Cemetery, Milesville, South Dakota.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Thursday, June 1, 2006 10:00 a.m.

American Legion Hall

Philip, South Dakota

 

CLERGY

Pastor Mark Ford

 

MUSIC

Marianne Frein – Pianist

Barb Bowen – Vocalist

"On Eagles Wings"

"In The Garden"

Theo Blair - Violinist

"Tennessee Waltz"

 

USHERS

Glen Radway - Mark Radway

Craig Hanrahan – Brian Hanson

 

PALLBEARERS

Dan Blair – Theo Blair

Todd Blair – Pamela Blair

Roxie Gittings – Robin Gittings

Tiffanie Wakeley – Tanya Fillingim

Trace O’Connell

 

 

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

 

 

INTERMENT

Thursday, June 1, 2006  1:00 p.m.

Blair Family Cemetery

Milesville, South Dakota

 

Take Care Of Yer Friends

Friend is a word that I don’t throw around

Though it’s used and abused, I still like the sound.

I save it for people who’ve done right by me

And I know I can collect if ever need be.

 

Some of my friends drive big limousines

Own ranches and banks and visit with queens.

And some of my friends are up to their neck

In overdue notes and can’t write a check.

 

They’re singers or ropers or writers of prose

And others, God bless them can’t blow their own nose.

I guess being friends don’t have nothing to do

With talent or money or knowing who’s who.

 

It’s a comfterbul feelin’ when you don’t have a care

‘Bout chossin’ your words or bein’ quite fair.

Cause friends’ll just listen and let go on by

Those words you don’t mean and not bat an eye.

 

It make a friend happy to see you success

They’re proud of yer good side and forgive all the rest.

And that ain’t easy, all of the time

Sometimes you get crazy and seem to go blind.

 

Yer friend just might have to take you on home

Or remind you sometime that you’re not alone.

Or ever so gently pull you back to the ground

When you think you can fly with no one around.

 

A hug or a shake, whichever seems right

Is the high point of givin’, I’ll tellya tonight.

All worldly riches and tributes of men

Can’t hold a candle to the worth of a friend.

 

- Baxter Black

 

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