John Liddell Blair, age 87, died January 29, 2023, after a prolonged illness. John is survived by his sons, Gordon Liddell Blair (Beth) and Nicholas Batchelor Blair of Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Gordon’s two sons, John Edward “Jeb” Blair (15) and Beau McDowell Blair (10). John also leaves behind his loving niece, Laurie Blair Ernst (John) of Saco, Maine, and a loved brother in law, Dan E. Batchelor (Gail) of Birmingham and his family. John is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Ann Batchelor Blair, of Birmingham, as well as his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander M. Blair, and his brother, David M. Blair (Jeannie), of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Born on October 26, 1935, in Springfield, Massachusetts, John served honorably in the United States Army and earned degrees from American International College, the College of William & Mary, Cambridge University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He lived roughly fifty years in Petersburg, Virginia, where he taught history and government at Richard Bland College of the College of William & Mary. At Richard Bland College, John served as History Department Chair and annually organized an International Forum where he introduced countless foreign ambassadors and other diplomats to the Richard Bland and Southside Virginia communities. John was a loving father and grandfather. He held a seemingly lifelong passion for archeology and collecting antiquities and ephemera, among other things. John’s children and grandchildren will remember him for his intellect, quirky sense of humor, and love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marjory and Alexander Blair Scholarship Fund at Richard Bland College, 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, John Blair. We will remember him forever.