John ‘Goat’ Blair

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died August 31, 2020

John “Goat” Blair, age 65, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends on Monday, August, 31, 2020 at his home in Gladstone after his brief, but well fought battle with Esophageal Cancer.

John was born November 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 September 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:
1 Son: David Blair of Gladstone, MI
2 Daughters: Jessica Blair of Gladstone, MI
Nicole (Scott) McNeish of Adrian, MI
Mother-In-Law: Mary Kidd of Escanaba, MI
1 Brother: James (Vicki) Blair of Herrin, IL
2 Sisters: Nancy (Milford) Young of Gladstone, MI
Mary Lou (Robert) Friedmann of Soo Hill, MI
2 Grandchildren: Nehemiah Blair and Ivy McNeish
Brother-In-Law: Larry Kidd of Escanaba, MI
Sister-In-Law: Jackie (Terry) Moore of Davisburg, MI
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, Wisconsin, 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, September 4, 2020 at 1:00 PM at All Saints
Catholic Church in Gladstone. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are
assisting the Blair family.

20 Tributes for “John ‘Goat’ Blair”

    John was always a pleasure to be around. I knew him from our church dart ball league. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. John will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him. Our prayers for the family and hope to see John in Heaven someday when we all make our final trip to be with our Lord and Savior.

    I’m going to miss my brother in law so much. He was a wonderful man . Whenever he walked by me he would grab a toe or finger and give a playful tug. I’m so glad I was able to tell him I loved him. See you in heaven johnny.

    My sincere condolences and sympathy to the family. Sending love, prayerful hugs and healing energies to all the family in their time of loss! I was a childhood friend of Mary Lou and I knew all the Blair kids! Such a wonderful time we, Buckeye kids, had! The Blair home was always welcoming and we had great fun times together!

    My dear Uncle Johnny,

    You will be greatly missed. I will fondly remember waiting for you to stop by our house on the garbage truck to see what treasures he found. He had an eye for the “good stuff”. was really a big kid at heart. I loved his smile. He could brighten the room with his grin.

    I will forever treasure my great times fishing, hunting and just being in the company of one of the kindest men in the world.

    So long for now Uncle “Goat”. We will meet again in the sweet bye and bye.

    Outstanding Fellow Member and Friend of The Gladstone Son’s of the American Legion. I was lucky to call John my Friend. I served a few years with Goat as a Volunteer fireman and I enjoyed his Humor and Laughter. May he rest in Peace and Prayers for Sister Nancy and rest of his Family. He will be missed!

    I had the pleasure of knowing and working with John my entire career in Gladatone and I can say without a doubt his devotion to serving the City in his roles with the Electrical Department and the Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department were second to none. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

    sorry to see the young pass and we will miss the fun times we had with the neighbors kid i didnt have enough time to teach him all about fishing but he will learn in heaven we share your sorrow and send huggs to all

    Ohhh Kathy, Jessie, Nickie, David And Family, where do I begin to telling you how sorry I am about the passing of your beloved husband, father, grandfather Johnny. When I think of Johnny the 1st thing I think of is his beautiful ever present smile and friendly and caring personality. He loved everyone especially his family. I have many fond memories of Johnny and the wonderful times we all spent together over the years. I can see Johnny’s job in Heaven serving as a greeter at the Golden Gates with that great smile, a hug or a pat on the back and a “nice to see you” — what a warm welcome that would be. God Bless you Johnny — you will be missed. Thinking & praying for you all. Love Robin

    Heaven will receive a fine sole. My sincere condolences to John’s family, and shared sadness with his many friends.
    He will live in my heart on the football field, putting a dart into third base under pressure and always having a sincere and cheerful greeting.

    Kathy:
    My deepest sympathy to you and your family over the loss of such a great man.. May you find comfort and peace in the love surrounding you from family and friends. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Dear Kathy and Family,
    Our hearts go out to you with deepest sympathy. John was such a good person. He always had a friendly “hello” and a smile for us … and for everyone. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    John, You have been a friend my entire life. so kind and always a hug to say hello, even if it was in church! Our lives were that of neighbors, and friends. I will never forget cooking baked potatoes in the 55 gal drum in your back yard eating them hot out of the fire. So many memories of growing up in the Buckeye.
    I pray you rest in peace in the arms of our lord god who is now taking care of you. I pray for your family’s peace to get through this.
    You will be missed.
    Until next time.
    Jackie (sassy)

    Kathy & family
    Our deep heart felt sorrow over the loss of John. As a fellow Buckeye kid, Guy will miss Goat greatly. Their years of dart ball, firemens, cards & fun times are special memories for Guy. My kids remember Goat from the garbage truck that they said “Hi Goat” to every week. John always had a smile & hello for them. What a nice guy. John will be sadly missed

    you cant think of John without getting a smile on your face. Only special people have that gift and John was a special person. RIP JB and heartfelt condolences to your family.

    John our families were friends way before we were born an tight knit buckeye connection will be with us all always you always had abig hug n a smiley hello no matter how long it had been since.we last crossed paths. You will be missed at all the places i would see you at on my return home. My deepest sympathy to the entire family, your ‘ re all in my prayers.

    Was very sorry to hear about John. He was a Great Guy and always had a smile on his face and a great sense of humor.

    Kathy and Family…

    It’s been forever since I saw y’all (I honest abe don’t know where the time goes) but I want to extend my condolences to you and yours. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of John. His smile would light up a room and always a happy fellow. Your son David reminds me so much of John. I hope Dave is doing better each day!

    Kathy, I just heard, so sorry for your loss. I did not know him but will pray for your family. God bless you in this time of loss.

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