For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

CM Blair passed away peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday evening, March 16, 2023.  He was two months away from his ninety-ninth birthday.  He is survived by his three children: son Charles Mark Blair (wife Tammy); and two daughters Janet Blair Bou-Chebl (husband Saba); and Robin Blair Helbling (husband Paul); six granddaughters: Jennifer Ann Crimeni (husband Nick); Dana Rae Helbling Caldera (husband Pat); Kristen Elaine Blair; Sydney Elizabeth Helbling Castillo (husband Joey); Sarah Elizabeth Blair; and Blair Taylor Bou-Chebl; and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Raynelle Bristow, of Edmond Oklahoma, and many nieces and nephews.

CM was born on May 17, 1924 in Springtown, Texas and raised on a farm in Randlett, Oklahoma.  He was the third of eight children, five boys and three girls.  Life on the farm was difficult during the Great Depression years beginning in 1929, and he lost hearing in his left ear at an early age due to an infection from swimming in a stock pond.  He graduated from Randlett High School in May 1942 shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  He entered a trade school to become a machinist and moved to Connecticut for a few years to learn the trade, until he was called back to Oklahoma by the Draft Board.  Due to his hearing loss, he was rejected by the armed services and joined Douglas Aircraft Company in Oklahoma City to produce C47 transport aircraft.  During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Mable Ann Craun, who also worked at Douglas.  After the war, he formed a business partnership with his uncle and opened an auto parts store in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

In 1947, he sold his interest in the auto parts store and moved to Oklahoma City for a job at Tinker Field Air Force Base, and then moved again in 1952 to Houston, Texas.  He was an excellent machinist and worked for various machine shops, eventually becoming Shop Superintendent of Alloy Carbide Company where he worked until retiring in 1990.  CM enjoyed fishing for Speckled Trout and Red Fish in the Galveston Bay Complex, and gardening at his home in Meadow Creek Village.  He converted his backyard into a beautiful Japanese Garden with a large Koi pond, waterfall, and beautiful plants.  He won Yard of the Month on multiple occasions, and the Meadow Creek Community website featured his backyard in an article.  He also enjoyed the original style country music, western movies, playing "forty-two" dominoes, tossing washers, watching the Houston Astros, wearing his cowboy hat, and the company of his Yorkie named Trooper, and cat named Angel.

Ann and CM had 69 wonderful years together before she passed away in 2015.  After losing Ann, CM sold the family home and moved to an independent living community at Brookdale Memorial City.  He enjoyed Brookdale and had many friends there.  He was computer savvy and routinely spent time researching genealogy and connecting with family and friends far and wide.  CM was the "Rock" of the Blair Family.  He was a Christian, a loving husband, an excellent father, a source of wisdom, always quick witted, and an example of a life well lived.  He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends.  Special thanks go to Martha Cortez, Norma Ruiz and Graciela Garza for their loving care and assistance during the last weeks of his life.

A celebration of CM's life will be held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church,11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024 on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Chapel.  In lieu of flowers if you  would like  to  make  a tribute  gift  in honor of  our  father, please consider a donation to the Houston Botanic Garden https://secure.hbg.org/donate/i/tribute or to a charity of your choice.