Blair John Grater

Blair "Butch" John Grater passed from this earth to eternal life on April 29, 2023, at Cypress Pointe Health and Wellness Center, Houston, Texas, following a devastating stroke just a few days before. Blair was born August 7, 1929, in Black Lick, PA, to Estelle Agnes Rickard and Harry William Grater, sharing the family home with his siblings Harry, Jr., and Kathryn.

A quiet child, he entertained himself, often playing with his toy trucks under the front porch. His father's death when he was only five years old significantly impacted him. He attended Blairsville High School, Blairsville, PA, participating in wrestling and football. Blair graduated from high school in 1947. International Harvester, Blairsville, soon employed him as a tractor and farm equipment mechanic.

In 1948 he married the love of his life, Kathryn Ruth Waddle, who, before their marriage, lived with her parents very near where he worked. She remembers how convenient it was for him to visit in time for lunch.

Soon, however, the Korean War broke out, and Blair joined the U. S. Army serving from 1952 to 1954 in France, attaining the rank of corporal. When he eventually returned to the States for good, he came home to meet his son, Alan Blair Grater, for the first time, then eighteen months old.

In 1955, the family moved to Ypsilanti, MI, so that Blair could become an airplane mechanic at Willow Run Airport. He was hired by American Airlines remaining employed there for nearly forty years. Grater was promoted to supervisor ten years before retiring in 1994.

During Alan's childhood, Blair participated in Little League baseball as a coach and became an exemplary Boy Scout leader. He truly loved the Boy Scouts and building model airplanes and trains. He built a train set that encircled the family's Christmas tree. The family had and loved dogs of every kind and had as many as five at one time.

Later in life, Blair enrolled at Washtenaw Community College in Ypsilanti, MI, to study engineering, earn an associate degree, and become a teacher there.

Blair and Kathryn became world travelers, eventually traveling to over 24 countries. In their 60's, the couple toured this country on a BMW motorcycle. Finally, they purchased a travel trailer and soon visited all 50 states.

In 1992, the Graters became "Winter Texans," leaving the bitterly cold winters of Michigan for a trailer home in Brownsville. Blair discovered and developed his expertise as a country line dancer there.

During a lifetime of community service, Grater was a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church, Ypsilanti, MI, and an active member of the American Legion and the Masons in Pinckney, MI.

Grater was pre-deceased by his parents, Harry and Stella Grater; his siblings, Harry, Jr. and Kathryn Grater; Janice Grater daughter in law; a granddaughter, Rachael Grater; and one nephew, Charles (Nancy) Waddle.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathryn Grater, and son, Alan, both of Houston, TX; and four nieces: Melinda (Jerry) Rudabough, Phoenix, AZ; Debra (Joe) Reynolds, Orlando, FL; Terri Ector, Nashville, TN, and Patricia (David) Sapina, Levittown, PA. Grater also leaves behind one nephew, Randy (Donna) Waddle, also of Levittown.

Blair's four great-grandchildren will miss him greatly: Mathew (Angelika) Smith and Ryan Smith, and twins Merissa and Meagan Pierce, all of Vancouver, WA. His four great-great-grandchildren are Chloe, Ella, Laynie, and Aliza Smith, also of Vancouver, WA.

A memorial service in Pinckney, MI, will be announced later by the family.