John ‘Goat’ Blair
GLADSTONE, Mich. — John “Goat” Blair, 65, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends on Monday, Aug., 31, 2020 at his home in Gladstone after his brief, but well fought battle with esophageal cancer.
John was born Nov. 1, 1954, the son of Wilfred and Marian (Froberg) Blair. He spent his childhood days running the streets of the Buckeye. He attended the Buckeye School and graduated from Gladstone High School. John was an outstanding football player and received many awards playing for the Gladstone Braves. After graduation John spent a short time living in Detroit before he began his 35 year journey serving the City of Gladstone and his 39 years of devotion to the Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department. John was united in marriage to his beloved wife Kathryn Kidd on Sept. 24, 1977 at St. Joe’s Catholic Church in Escanaba.
John will always be remembered for his love of prime rib, steak, rhubarb and apples, bad Dad jokes, improvised music lyrics and his incredible smile. In his free time he served at All Saints Catholic Church, was an active member of the Sons of the American Legion, loved playing cards with his dear friends, was a “world class” dartball player and avid fisherman.
In addition to his loving wife Kathryn, he is survived by: one son, David Blair of Gladstone, Mich.; two daughters, Jessica Blair of Gladstone, Mich., and Nicole (Scott) McNeish of Adrian, Mich.; mother-In-law, Mary Kidd of Escanaba, Mich.; one brother, James (Vicki) Blair of Herrin, Ill.; two sisters, Nancy (Milford) Young of Gladstone, Mich., and Mary Lou (Robert) Friedmann of Soo Hill, Mich.; two grandchildren, Nehemiah Blair and Ivy McNeish; brother-in-law, Larry Kidd of Escanaba, Mich.; sister-in-law, Jackie (Terry) Moore of Davisburg, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Goat is preceded in death by: brother, Robert Blair, and father-in-law, Lug Kidd.
John’s family would like to thank the devoted doctors and staff at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., OSF Oncology and Aurora Bay Cancer Center for their incredible care as well as U.P. Health System Hospice for guiding him on to his new journey.
A memorial mass is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4, at 1 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Blair family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can leave a message of sympathy to the family.