Charles Center Blair

Mr. Charles Center Blair, 93, of Itasca, Hillsboro, and Hill County, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Homestead Nursing Home.  Graveside services will take place Friday, October 1, 2021, at 11:00 am at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro, with nephew Bobby Baker officiating.  Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Charles was born August 27, 1928, to George and Ora Bradshaw Blair on the family ranch in Hillsboro, Texas.  He attended Hillsboro Public Schools then graduated from Allen Military Academy, Bryan, Texas in 1945.  Charles served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He then attended Dallas Mortuary School and worked as a funeral director and mortician in Waxahachie and Terrell before joining his dad running the family ranches in Hill and Freestone Counties.

Charles married Elsa Dean Tatom on December 3, 1949, at the Munger Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.  Lifelong members of the Itasca and Hillsboro Methodist churches, they enjoyed sixty-three years together before her death.

Charles enjoyed life on the ranch, working with animals, flying his airplanes, collecting antique Cushman motor scooters, engines, and tractors.  He and his wife were founding members of the North Texas Air Stream Community in Hillsboro.  They traveled extensively with the Community, working national rallies until her death in 2012.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Richard “Dickey” Blair; wife, Elsa; brother-in-law, George Metcalf and sister-in-law, Suzy Moore.

He is survived by his son, Charles Center Blair “Chuck” and wife Becky of Hillsboro; grandchildren; Clint Blair and wife Brandy of Grandview, Grant Blair and wife Emily of Dallas, Kate Blair Ortega and husband Vince of Austin; great grandchildren, Aidan, C.J., Daeglan, and Briar Blair, Luke, Max and Jocelyn Ortega; brothers and sisters in law, Rita and Lee McClennahan of Virginia, Nicky Moore of Dallas, Paula Metcalf of Dallas, Bob and Pam Baker of Tyler and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.