Kenneth Carlyle Blair Jr.
NEWBURY TWP. – Kenneth Carlyle Blair Jr., age 79, a lifelong resident of Newbury Township, died on Nov. 24, 2017, after a long illness.
Ken was the eldest son of Kenneth Sr. and Virginia (nee Busch), both deceased. He was a 1956 graduate of Burton High School, where he was active in Key Club, theatre, played the trumpet and was a four-year letterman in football, basketball and wrestling. He attended Ohio University from 1956-1957.
Ken worked at Central National Bank and Shaker Savings Bank before working his way up to manager of operations at Cleveland Freight Lines. He then opened Blair Cartage Trucking Company, in 1970, which he proudly operated for 38 years.
Ken was a member of the Newbury Schools Board of Education for 44 years and was a member of the Auburn Career Center board for 22 years. He also served on the Ohio School Boards Association for 35 years, was a member of the Newbury Jaycees for 20 years and a football referee for 25 years.
Ken is a 32-degree Master Mason and a life member of the American Trucking Association. He was an active member of the National Federation of Independent Business from 1984-2016, where he served on the Guardian Advisory Council (GAC).
He was an active lifetime member of the Geauga County Republican Party, at which time he ran for U.S. Congress, District 32, and won the Republican primary.
For over 30 years, he drove The Ohio State University football equipment truck. He parked the original tractor trailer on his company property on Kinsman Road for all to see.
Ken was the beloved husband of Jan Jindra; loving father of Sharon, Ken III (Annette), Karen, Joy (Zach), Joelle (John) and Bob (Tracy); loving grandfather of Brad (Laura), Justin, Caitrin (Eric) Ellen (Eric), Morgan, Heather, Kendra, Lauren, Colleen and Johnny; great-grandfather of Brody and Farrah; and brother to Mary, Martha (Larry), Tom (Vicki), Frank (Susan) and Charlie (Yuxia).
Ken will be buried in a private ceremony.
A public celebration of life will be held Dec. 2 at Burton Congregational Church, 14558 W. Park St., Burton, at 11 am. All attendees are requested to wear Ohio State apparel in honor of Ken’s love of the school and football program.
A private graveside service was held at Newbury Center Cemetery.
In place of flowers, the family requests that you send contributions to Auburn Career Center in honor of Ken’s name, 8140 Auburn Road, Concord Twp., OH 44077.
Arrangements are entrusted to Russell-Sly Funeral Home, in Middlefield. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.russellslyfh.com.
