Obituary

Thomas Jackson Blair III, age 87, passed away on March 13, 2020 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV. The loving staff at Hubbard House deemed him ‘interim mayor and CEO.’ He was born in Weston, WV on February 18, 1933 to the late Thomas Jackson Blair, Jr. and Emma Harrison Davisson Blair. He was preceded in death by his sister Anna Blair Curtis. He was a graduate from Charleston High School, serving as class president, Greenbrier Military School and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), also serving as class president of 1955.

Tom never knew a stranger; everyone was his friend. He loved an audience and was never short on stories and jokes. He loved horseback riding, fishing, bike riding, and playing games. He loved to spend time at the family farm of Annamede in Crawford, WV with many friends and family; everyone was always welcome.

Tom was a civil servant in many capacities, making numerous contributions to his beloved State of West Virginia and alma mater, VPI. He served as a Commissioned Officer, US Corps of Engineers in Charlottesville, VA. He started as a Project Engineer at Kelley, Gidley and Staub, Inc. eventually becoming President and CEO of Kelley, Gidley, Blair and Wolfe, Inc. He was a registered Professional Civil and Environmental Engineer. His professional affiliations were many, including the International Water Supply Association; American Water Works Association, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Trustee, International Treasurer and Outstanding Service to AWWA; American Society of Civil Engineers, serving as WV Past President; WV Society of PE, receiving Engineer of the Year in 1983; American Academy of Environmental Engineers; Distinguished Service Award, National Clay Pipe Institute; Contractors Association of WV; National Water Alliance; AIA WV, Associate Member; Committee of 100, College of Engineering, VPI; Lawrence Frankel Foundation, Past President; Rotary Club of Charleston; State Capitol Building Commission; Virginia Tech Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Academy of Distinguished Alumni; WVU, Academy of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chairman; Advisory Board of Directors, Founding Member of the UT Prosium of VPI; United National Bank, Central Member, Board of Directors, United Bankshares, Inc.

He is survived by the love of his life, Irene Pearson Butcher Blair; children, Julia Ann Blair Childers (William), Mary Elizabeth Blair, Carol Davisson Blair Lambdin (Rob), Thomas Jackson Blair IV (Cara) and Charles Thomas Butcher Blair, step children Michelle Butcher Courtney, Gina Butcher Wilkinson (Frank); grandchildren, Christine Childers (Heath), Susanne Childers, Blair Anne Hensen, Scott Hensen (Megan), Reid Hensen, Robert Lambdin, Thomas Lambdin, Jackson Blair, Caroline Blair, Kaylie Blair, Victoria, Nick and Hannah Courtney, Annie, Caroline and Frankie Wilkinson; nephew Harry Curtis, Jr.; and niece Emma Curtis Bramble and great niece Jennica Bramble. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to his second ‘family’, the genuine caring staff at Hubbard House.

Thomas Jackson Blair, III of Charleston, WV, memorial service that was schedule for Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at First Presbyterian  Church, Charleston, WV  has been cancelled due to the coronavirus. The service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hubbard Hospice House.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.