COLUMBUS
Larry D. Blair, 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 26, 2022, with family and friends by his side.
Larry was born August 6, 1943, in Whitesburg, Kentucky, to Bailus P. and Stacy Frazier Blair.
He graduated from Columbus High School in 1961 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morehead State University. He completed his MBA and CMA from Indiana University where he was later on consult with the Kelly School of Business.
On June 11, 1966, Larry married the love of his life, Laura Elizabeth Hill, and they spent the next 56 years building a life together that celebrated God’s blessings. Together they raised a son, David Alan, and a daughter, Elizabeth Ann.
Larry began his career with Arvin Industries in 1968 as an accountant and retired in 2000 as Chief Financial Officer where his integrity, work ethic, and no-nonsense approach earned him the respect of all who worked with him. Throughout his tenor at Arvin, Larry earned the distinction of operating “The Blair School of Business” and mentored both Kelly School and Harvard School of Business graduates. His career took him all over the world where he developed an appreciation for the diverse people and cultures he encountered.
While he loved traveling, his true joy came from times spent with family and friends. He was a generous host at home and at his Kentucky lake house, sharing the joys of boating and fishing with loved ones. He also enjoyed spending time on the beach in Sanibel with Laura and his beloved dog, Max. Larry was an avid fisherman, nature lover, bird watcher, history buff, and reader. His favorite authors were James Patterson and John Grisham. Another passion of Larry’s was UK basketball, where he delighted in bantering with friends about every detail of a game. Not only was Larry a fervent car enthusiast; he enjoyed working on his cars, boats, and building projects.
Larry loved his country and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. While in Cam Ranh Bay, Larry served as a medic at the Sixth Convalescent Center.
Larry’s priority in life was his family and he took great pride in providing for them. He was preceded in death by his parents, his dog and best friend, Max, and nephew, Michael Hill.
He is survived by his wife Laura, son David (Ashley), daughter Elizabeth (Sally), sister Sherry (Bill) Hashman, nephews Kanen (Mindy) Hashman, Kyndal (Sarah) Hashman, Kreigh (Cara) Hashman, brothers-in-law Bill (Marie) Hill, Mike (Nancy) Hill, and Greg Hill, nephews Jason (Lori) Hill, and Matthew (Cathy) Hill, and many great nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Thursday at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Pastor Jarvis Cooper officiating.
Family and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to time of service Thursday at the funeral home.
A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed at 12:00 p.m. Thursday at barkesweaverglick.com
A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Garland Brook Cemetery.
The family would be honored, if in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bartholomew County Humane Society, The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society, or The Alzheimer’s Association in Larry’s memory.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Blair family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
