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Fred died in a glider crash on Sunday afternoon, June 17th. More info will be added as it is received.
The following information was posted on Facebook by our classmate, Roger Dimick (Class of 1964):
Here is some more information on funerals for Fred's daughter in law and and grandson. The services will be Saturday, 2pm, at Klein Funeral Home at 9719 Wortham Blvd, in Houston. This location is on the corner of FM1960 and Wortham Boulevard in NW Houston. It will be an excellent way to honor Fred's family members and also for the rest of us to get together. I talked with Lois, Fred's wife, this morning and she is grateful for the wishes and words we have sent her.
Our own Kirk Larkin has spoken with Fred's wife, Lois. She informed him that she planned on having Fred's body cremated and hoped to plan a gathering of friends in a month or so.
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Nancy Smith (Barnes)
A tragic accident took Fred's life along with his daughter-in-law and 3 year old grandson yesterday close to Wallis where he and his wife Lois live. He was doing what he loved to do-fly gliders. The tow rope broke and the glider went down at about 70 ' above the ground on take off. The story has been on the news here in the Houston area and the NTSB is investigating the accident.
Fred was a seasoned pilot and certified flight instructor. For the complete story go to KTRK-TV.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Fred's family and his wife Lois.
Douglas L. Hicks
As I read todays paper I saw the picture of a glider that had crashed in a southeast Texas field. The small headline identified a tragic glider flight that took the life of 3 family members as the aircraft went into a nose dive after it was released from the tow airplane.
I read the part about the family members, including a 3 year old boy, Andrew Blair. Reading this sentence alone affected me so much that when I read the entire news article it didn't even register when I saw Fred Blair's name, and his 32 year old daughter in law Matilda, who I have never met. My wife and I talked about how devastating this entire tragedy would have on so many people, and we would pray for each person connected to this horrible accident. There is a husband who lost his wife and son. There was Fred's wife Lois left with questions no man can answer. We can speak to facts, but not as to why. We can only hope and pray that the Lord will be with each of them as they seek answers as to why this this would happen to them, and an innocent 3 year old. All of us need to pray for them, and for those who knew Fred, I know it would mean a great deal to his wife and family to hear a kind, encouraging word from those who were connected with Fred through the band, etc., even if you have not seen or talked with Fred for years.
Thank you again John for all you have done, and continue to do, to keep us all together as a class and as friends /and the information you provided through your comment to all of us about Fred.
I am very proud to be associated with the kind of Classmates we have from our relatively small High School Senior Class, in a small town atmosphere, with big hearts. May God Bless Each of You.
Ruth Ann Rennels (Hendrick)
This is from the Wallis, Texas newspaper
Fred Blair
Posted on June 21st, 2012
Fred was born on January 25, 1944, in Houston, Texas, though he spent his childhood fishing in the creeks and lakes around his childhood home of Palestine.
Mr. Blair retired from Houston Lighting and Power after 27 years. He and his wife, Lois, divided their time between Wallis, where Fred has played the euphonium in the Houston Symphonic Band, and Davenport, Florida since retirement. He and Lois have enjoyed working at Disney World during the winter months for the past 5 years.
Aside from music and fishing, Mr. Blair loved to fly. He was an experienced glider pilot and instructor. He held his Private Pilot’s License - Glider, his Commercial Pilot’s License - Glider and his Certified Flight Instructor License - Glider. He had logged 775 hours of flying prior to Sunday.
Fred is survived by his wife, Lois Mann, of 25 years. He is also survived by his brother, John Blair, his three children, Shelley and Kelly Cauble, Rob and Wendy Blair, Brian Blair, and 6 grandchildren. He is also survived by Lois’ family of Randy and Tonia Tewell, Scott and Charlene Tewell, Ryan Tewell, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Fred was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Greater Houston Soaring Association – A Non-Profit Organization, P.O. Box 421, Wallis, TX 77485.
Submitted by Ruth Ann Hendrick