Dec. 3, 1943 — June 16, 2017

Jerry Blair, 73, passed away at his home Friday, June 16, 2017.

Jerry was a lifelong resident of Niles, graduating from Niles High School in 1962. He stayed close with his classmates and was looking forward to his 55th class reunion this August. Jerry always said he graduated with the greatest classmates ever, and he did.

While in high school, he excelled in football and basketball. Jerry went on to play semi-pro football with the Michiana Hawks.

Jerry retired from Garden City Fan & Blower in 2005 after 39 years of service as an Inspector.

Jerry married the former Kathy Anderson from Edwardsburg on May 25, 1972. Together they built a livestock cow/calf operation on their farm in Niles. They sold club calves as 4-H projects to many area youth and sponsored trophies at the Berrien County Youth Fair. Jerry’s belief was, “if everyone did one small thing, together we would do big things.”

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Gladys Blair, and his sister, Jo-Ann Eckler.

Left to keep his memory is his wife, Kathy; his brother-in-law, Hugh Anderson (Brenda) from Hudson, Florida, who has worked with Jerry and Kathy on the farm for the past five years and has run the farm since Jerry became ill; three nieces, Linda, Terry and Gail; and two very special cousins, Maretta (Don) Williams from Marion, Michigan, and Rodney (Penny) Blair from Lake City, Michigan.

In keeping with Jerry’s wishes, he has been cremated. Close family friend, Paul E. Mayhew of the Mayhew Funeral Home Inc., Edwardsburg, handled the final details for Jerry and his family. Jerry’s ashes will be buried in a private family ceremony at his monument in the Sumnerville Cemetery at a later date.

The family wishes to greatly thank his supporting nurses, especially Vanessa and Lori from Caring Circle Hospice, for their compassionate and continued care. Please give any memorials for Jerry to this fine organization and people: Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Jerry’s family would like to invite all of his friends to a celebration of life dinner to be hosted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017, at the Eagles Lodge, 34 Sycamore St., Niles.