Donald Dee Blair

Donald Dee Blair passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at the age of 87, in Deer Lodge, Montana, at The Ivy. Don was born October 26, 1933, the second of three sons, to William Narcie and Ruth (Hicks) Blair, on the family ranch in Gibson, MT. He attended grade school at the Big Coolie, which was a one room schoolhouse, and graduated from Sweetgrass High School in Big Timber, MT. He joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. Don married Verna Mack in 1951 and they had four children; Debra (Len) Mingneau of Butte, Vicki (Leonard) Ross, of Anaconda, Terry Blair, of Missoula, and Bruce Blair, of Butte. Don and Verna later divorced, and Don married Margaret Haugland. They also later divorced, but remained friends. After working on the family ranch for years, Don worked for Ed Braaten Trucking. He also drove over the road for Jim Logan, and had 20 years as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau. Don retired from working for the Yellowstone County Refuse Department.Dad loved horses, team roping with Lou Edwards, playing cards, and socializing with good friends. He remained friends with his childhood friend, Bernard Breeding. Bernard and dad burned up the phones between South Dakota and Montana.Don was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Jack C Blair, in 1994, and Glenn Blair, in 2020. In addition to his children, Don is blessed to be survived by seven grandchildren; Susie (Frank) Albrecht, of Oshkosh, WI, Justin (Molly) Mosness, of Clancy, Rob Mosness, of Bozeman, Barbara Roberts, of Livingston, and Brooke Becker, Ella Olin, and Jeff Blair, all of Billings; nine great-grandchildren, Ben, Camryn, Dylan, Devin, Rylie, John, Trinty, Querencia, and Briggs; and his nieces Sue Blair, Julie Blair, and nephews, Bill Blair, Ross Blair, and Mark Blair.No services are planned at this time, but a memorial will be held at a later date..