Chris Blair

Chris Eugene Blair completed a beautiful life on May 25, 2025, leaving this world from the comfort of his home in Minburn, IA. Born July 20, 1952, to loving parents Ronald and Carol Blair in Oceanside, CA, while Ron served in the Marines, he spent most of his childhood in Ankeny, IA, with his siblings Mike, Rhonda and Debbie.

Chris lived his life exactly the way he wanted. He developed a passion and affinity for engines and fast cars in his youth. This led to a career in mechanics that took him international at the age of 20. He chose to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1972 before he could be drafted, and was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, as a Spec 5 mechanic. There he could be found drag racing his 1967 Ford Fairlane on the track of Hanau Airbase in his downtime.

Chris met the love of his life, Michele 'Chele' Therese Modlin, in July of 1971 and wasted no time, proposing in October of the same year. The two were married August 20, 1972. Following his service in Germany, Chris and Michele settled just outside of Michele's hometown of Minburn, IA, where Chris helped Michele's father work the farm while also working full-time as a diesel mechanic at Charles Gabus Ford. He spent 17 years of his career there and was ultimately promoted to service department supervisor. After Gabus, Chris went to MidAmerican Energy where he supervised the MidAmerican Energy fleet until he retired in March of 2014.

During this time, he continued to take on more responsibility on the farm, succeeding Chele's father Dave Modlin, and forming a business with his brother-in-law, Roger Thompson, that has expanded to include his son Thomas and nephew Stephen Thompson. The red Blair Thompson Farms trucks stand out at the co-op every harvest.

He worked hard and played even harder. Chris loved having a good time and spending time with his family, whether that was on a boat, the golf course, a camping trip or even just sitting outside in his building watching the crops grow.

Chris passed on his love for everything fast to all three of his children, Tina, Bridget and Thomas, and taught each of them how to ride motorcycles at an early age. Motorcycles were a big part of his life: from the dirt bikes he'd ride up the trails in the family's timber, to the Honda street bikes he'd take the kids for weekend rides on, to the Harley Davidson bikes he and Chele would ride all the way to Sturgis.

He also loved golf and was a member of the Perry Golf & Country Club for decades where he played weekly in the men's golf league. He instilled a love of the game in two of his children and would take them golfing as often as possible, with the third patiently reading a book by the pool while the others played the course. Even when he wasn't actively playing golf, he was always able to find a golf game to watch on TV.  Chris and Chele loved to golf together and spent much of their time wintering in Texas in recent years on the golf course.

He is preceded in death by parents, Ron and Carol Blair, brother Mike Blair and sister Rhonda Phelps. He is survived by his loving wife Michele; children Christina (Shawn) Coyle, Bridget (Josh) Anderson and Thomas (JoLynn) Blair; his grandchildren Helen Coyle, Dillon and Scarlett Anderson, Brylie Hathaway, Harlee and Wesley Blair; and his sister Deb (Don) McAtee.

Chris, you will be missed immensely by your family, and we will carry you forever in our hearts. "You've made us so very happy; we're so glad you came into our lives."

While Chris had no interest in formal affairs, he loved a good party. A Celebration of Life for Chris will be held on his birthday, Sunday, July 20, 2025, at his favorite place, his home in Minburn. Remembrance reception from 3-5pm, with dinner, live music and dancing following until 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Chris' name mailed to the American Legion Osborne Post #99 at 319 Baker St. Minburn, IA 50167.