James D. Blair

On Thursday, September 19, 2019, James Douglas Blair passed away at 78, surrounded by family in his home. Jim was born on February 2, 1941, in San Diego, California to John and Elaine Blair. He served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, including two years stationed in Sasebo, Japan. Following his time in the Navy, Jim attended nursing school and became a registered nurse, after which he worked as a nurse manager in corrections for Orange County, CA.

On September 14, 1962, he married Sandra Jane Weimer with whom he raised two daughters, Carie and Laura. He began a personal relationship with the Lord in his late 30s after attending a Marriage Encounter weekend with Sandy. Jim and Sandy were active members at First Presbyterian Church of Westminster, CA for many years before moving to Olathe, KS in 2006, where they have been active members at Colonial Presbyterian in Overland Park, KS.

Jim enjoyed pinochle, cribbage, and created beautiful wood carvings, but his true artistry was in the razzing he inflicted on his loved ones, and his sense of humor will be dearly missed. He had a servant’s heart and would help whenever he was able, volunteering over the years to do repair work and painting for the church or others and at food banks in both California and Kansas. Given his affinity for Blizzards, Jim was a frequent patron of local Dairy Queens.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandy; his daughters, Carie and her husband, Rick, and Laura and her husband, Bill; and by his grand and great-grandchildren, Billy and his children, Liam and Emma, Megan, her husband Rob, and their daughter, Evelyn, and Bryan, Katelyn, and Matthew.

A funeral service and reception will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019, at 3pm at Colonial Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, KS. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mission Southside in Olathe, KS or Harvester’s Community Food Network in Kansas City, MO.