Gerald "Jerry" Blair

Gerald "Jerry" Blair, 79, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 12, 2015, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton. Pastor Arhiana Shek will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Carson – Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. A private family burial will be held at the Dayton Cemetery at a later date. For online on obituaries & condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Gerald Russell Blair was born on September 22, 1935, in LeRoy, Minnesota, the son of Russell and Violet (Swaney) Blair. He attended country school in Minnesota. The family moved to Dayton Iowa in 1943 to an acreage east of town, and there he finished his schooling. As a young man, Jerry had many jobs, and learned a variety of skills. He especially appreciated the craftsmanship needed to become a quality cobbler while operating a shoe repair shop.

On June 2, 1957 Jerry was united in marriage to Lois Peters at St. John's Lutheran Church in Palmer Iowa.

In 1964, Jerry purchased his father's garbage disposal business, Blair Sanitation Service which he owned and operated until retiring in 1991. In his retirement years Jerry drove a truck for Becker Gravel Company in Stratford.

Jerry belonged to Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton where he taught Sunday School for many years. He also served as a scoutmaster for Troop #26 for nine years. He enjoyed working in the yard and around the house.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Blair of Dayton, Iowa; five children, Gordon (Joan) Blair of Moorland, Iowa, and their children, Sam & Rachel, Jeniece Blair of Olathe, Kansas, Joyce Blair of St. Joseph, Missouri, Bruce (Debbie) Blair and their sons, Alex & Neil, and Van (Lisa) Blair of Waterloo, Iowa, and their children, Collin, Krista and Katelyn; two sisters, Mavis (Wayne) Hagberg of Arizona, and Donna (Daryl) Haub of Dayton, Iowa; one brother, Jim (Marlys) Blair of Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ray Blair, and grandson Kade Blair.

Memorials given will be left to the discretion of the family.