John Walker Blair

Mr. John Walker Blair, 71, died Friday morning, November 10, 2017.  He was kind, caring and had a gentle spirit. He was a generous man with great integrity.

Johnny was born in Wake County, NC, a son to the late Henry K. Blair, Sr. and Laura Blair Johnson. He had a love for nature and the outdoors, hunting when he was younger and fishing throughout his years.

He graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1964, where he played baseball and was a star football player, receiving the Most Valuable Football Player award for both 1962-1963 and 1963-1964 seasons.  Johnny attended Choate in Wallingford, Connecticut on a football scholarship 1964-65 and graduated from UNC-CH in 1969 where he played football for a year and earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics.  He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Johnny was also an active member of the Pittsboro United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees and other special committees.

Johnny loved the Town of Pittsboro and led projects such as the first Courthouse Clocks, a special section of the new Pittsboro Library and a park in the downtown area.  Most of his life, he was a self-employed, residential construction contractor. Most recently, Johnny was the designer and owner of Blair Boat and RV Storage in Pittsboro, NC.

In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his step-father, James M. Johnson; his grandparents; several aunts and uncles; and his best dog friend, Billet.

He is survived by his brother, Henry K Blair, Sr. (Bengie); sister, Laura B. Spivey; nieces and nephews, Laura B. Butler (Bert), Henry K. Blair, III (Danielle), Marie McSweeney (Barney),Travis L. Spivey, Erin Librach (Dan); many great-nieces and nephews; special friend, Judy Peele; and Bandit, his beloved dog.

A visitation will be held 4-6:00PM Sunday, November 12, 2017 in the home located at 366 W. Salisbury St., Pittsboro. A service to celebrate John’s life will be held 1:00PM Monday, November 13, 2017 at Pittsboro United Methodist Church – 71 West Street, Pittsboro, NC. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to:  Pittsboro UMC – PO Box 716, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7313 - PO Box 1775, Pittsboro NC 27312.

Special thanks to Donna Loyd, for her personal care and management of household functions for John.  An additional thank you to Madelyn Ashley of Caring for Seniors, LLC, for her coordination of care for John and sharing of geriatric expertise with family and caregivers. The excellent care throughout the years of Dr. James E. Kurz and Dr. Nina M. Browner is greatly appreciated. The family also thanks the caregivers provided by Right at Home, Home Watch Caregivers, and Transitions Life Care for their assistance.

 Service Information