Charles Rawlings Blair

CHARLES RAWLINGS BLAIR passed peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 23 after a heroic four year battle with cancer. He was born to Harry Melvin Blair and Lorene Virginia McClellan Blair in Astoria, Ore., on Feb. 2, 1951 and lived in Hawaii and Chula Vista, Calif., while his father served in the US Navy before moving to North Little Rock, home of his mother's family, where he started 2nd Grade at the First Lutheran School. At that point he was a life-long resident of Arkansas. Chuck attended North Little Rock High School and studied architecture at the University of Arkansas. On a road trip to Dallas with his brother, Tim, driving Chuck's MG, it was easy to see that he loved the car. But it was not yet known that he would quit architecture, become a Jaguar mechanic-in-training, and ultimately become the owner of Blair's British Car Service which he continued to run in North Little Rock for 39 years. He was very dedicated to and loved by his customers, there was no job too big and he loved the challenge of fixing anything that no one else could. He truly was the ultimate example of living life to the fullest. His smile and laughter brought joy to all he met; he faced both the work and play in his life with a passion and energy that was extraordinary. In his early years he spent many fun hours racing Formula Atlantic cars, dirt bikes and anything else that would go fast. That need for speed continued on into his years of snow skiing and sailing. This also included many memorable trips with friends in the infamous BBC van to car races and sailing regattas. He skied for many years with friends and especially loved the ski trips with the Little Rock Athletic Club. He had a natural talent, no fear, and would ski any mountain and off of many a cliff that most of us would not dare. Unless you were an expert skier, it was usually inadvisable to follow him. Chuck was probably most passionate about his sailing at the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club and in regattas across the country. He greatly loved his boats, his crews, and all his fellow sailors. He was especially honored to serve as the club Commodore for two years, as well as receiving the Club's Linda Sexton Memorial Service Award, winning the Centerboard Club Championship, and receiving the GMSC Northern Star. In addition he had numerous awards for Regattas, Centerboard and Keelboat races, both at GMSC and around the country. He also had a passion for travel. He particularly loved chartering sailboats with friends in the Caribbean for sailing around the islands and scuba diving. One of the most special trips of all was to Scotland for his wedding to Kathy, hiking in the Highlands and seeing the country of his family's ancestry. Chuck is survived by his wife, Col. (Ret) Kathryn Karr Blair of North Little Rock; his brother, Dr. Timothy Blair (Cynthia) of Lebanon, Tenn.; his aunt, Dr. Betty Jane McClellan Daviee of Oklahoma City; his daughters, Ginna Blair of Carrollton, Ga., and Kris McCullough (John) of Dublin, Ohio; his grandson, Pierce Charles McCullough; his numerous cousins; and his much loved dog and companion, Cassie. Visitation will be held from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Roller-Owens Funeral Home at 5509 JFK in North Little Rock (501-791-7400). Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday Oct. 30 at 1st Lutheran Church at 8th and Rock in Little Rock followed by interment at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at 1501 W. Maryland, North Little Rock at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to 1st Lutheran Church, 314 E. 8th St, Little Rock, Ark. 72202; Any Animal Rescue Organization of your choosing; or the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 7328, Little Rock, Ark. 72217. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.