AC Blair

AC Blair from Wylie, Tx, 88 years old, born on May 7, 1937 in Snyder, Texas, flew away to heaven on September 17, 2025, in Dallas, Tx after a prolonged struggle with a hip fracture complicated by a weak heart and lung disease. He was one of the 11 children born to Burl and Evie Blair. While born a proud Texan, he spent most of his childhood and early adult life in Clifton, Arizona. This is where he met the one and only love of his life, Jo Ellen, who lived in nearby Duncan, Arizona. They were married on June 22, 1956, in Clifton, AZ. This began a wonderful journey together where they raised a family, traveled the world, and brought light, love, and fun to numerous friends, family and acquaintances.

AC was a lifelong entrepreneur and successful businessman. He first started a chain of laundromats and dry cleaners in Dallas, Tx. In the late 1970’s he went into the real estate business in Garland, Tx eventually becoming the broker/owner of a Century 21 franchise, then an independent brokerage, and finally a ReMax franchise. He helped hundreds of people find their Dream Home and was an influential leader in the Garland Board of Realtors and Texas Association of Realtors.

AC was an esteemed and respected Bible Scholar and for most of his adult life, he loved being a Sunday School teacher. He spent countless hours in bible study, which is evidenced by several worn out Bibles and a library filled with Bible commentaries. He went on numerous mission trips to the Dominican Republic, as well as to Brazil, building churches and spreading God’s Word. He volunteered weekly for many years at the Friendship House, a local community relief organization. Other volunteer activities included disaster relief projects with the Texas Baptists Men Organization. Throughout all his life, he brought the love of God to people in a humble way that was encouraging and inspiring. He truly set the example of what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus.

AC’s favorite pastime was to be in the kitchen cooking. He was very famous for his desserts and baked goods. His pies were delicious, with delicate buttery crusts, and worthy of being on the cover of Southern Living magazine with meringue a mile high. He delivered those delicious pies to neighbors, church staff members, friends and family. Highlights of the annual Blair Men’s camping trip were his scrumptious, hot Dutch-oven biscuits in the mornings and a made from scratch huge bowl of banana pudding after an evening meal. And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without AC’s homemade cookies, candies, and world-renowned peanut butter fudge, made with love for all his loved ones.

AC was a keen competitor and loved playing all kinds of games; especially Joker, Dominoes (42), and checkers – typically winning, by far. He loved gardening and summertime meant fresh squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and more graced the family table. His God-given green thumb provided an opportunity to give away bounties of his harvest to neighbors, friends and family. AC also loved to travel; he and Jo Ellen experienced the pleasure and adventure of many international trips. The adventures continued as they enjoyed several years of exploring America in their RV and the camaraderie provided by their friends in the RV Club.

Most of all, besides his love of God, AC cherished his entire family, so deeply. He was the most amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, for which any of us could have ever wished. He was always the solid rock foundation, and his dedication and devotion to his family is beyond words.

AC truly lived life to the fullest and said many times over the last few months “It’s been a good Journey”.

AC Blair is survived by his beloved wife Jo Ellen Blair, daughter Karen Hallman and husband Scott, son Gary Blair, son Russell Blair and wife Lori, daughter Lori Lusk and husband Mike; his twin brother AB Blair, along with brothers Alton Blair and Steve Blair; his grandchildren Rachel Denlinger, Jerome, Tyjah and Alisha Hallman, Gary Kent Blair Jr., Alex Blair (Hudson Powell), Briana (Brodie) Heflin, Becky (Brandon) Harrison, Katie (Haley) Blair and Michael (Lindsey) Lusk; his great grandchildren Avery Denlinger, Samual AC, Josiah, Joy and Timothy Heflin, Declan and Gage Harrison, Caspian and Bjorn Stone, Eleanor Blair, Savannah and Mason Lusk; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

AC Blair was predeceased by his parents Burl and Evie Blair; siblings JM Blair, JC Blair, Leona Jones, Pauline Hayes, Vivian Prochaska, Patsy Splawn, and Peggy Naud.

Services will be held at Charles Smith & Son Funeral Home 2925 5th St., Sachse, Tx on September 22, 2025, with visitation at 10 am, service at 11 am, followed immediately by a graveside service at Restland Memorial Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.