Harry Rinklin Blair Jr.'s Obituary
Harry Rinklin Blair Jr. passed away Friday, September 8, 2023, at his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born April 29, 1935, in Jackson, Mississippi. He was the son of Harry Rinklin Blair Sr. and Grace Brownlee Blair. He had one younger brother, Thomas Brownlee Blair, who preceded him in death. Harry was known among family and friends as Dandy, coined to him by his grandchildren. He was a bigger-than-life guy and never met a stranger. He was always the first to reach out a hand for a Harry Blair handshake, which he passed along to his children and grandchildren. It has served them well. Harry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn Wood Blair; his daughters, Laura Grace Blair and Lynn Blair; his grandchildren, Lucian Ek and Grace Sugg; and his son-in-law, Mark Sugg. Harry graduated from Millsaps College in 1957 with a degree in chemistry. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and was selected for Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He then served on active duty for three years and spent time on both the USS Lexington CV-2 and the USS De Soto County (LST-1171) as First Lieutenant, Gunnery Officer and Special Weapons Officer. Following active duty, Harry served in the reserves for an additional 18 years, retiring as Commander with 23 years of service. He attended the Naval War College twice. Harry began his post-Navy career with his brother, Tommy and father, Harry Sr., as a homebuilder from 1960-1965 in Jackson. For the next 47 years, Harry worked in the mortgage industry with Unifirst Federal Savings and Loan, Deposit Guaranty Mortgage Company, Bailey Mortgage Company and First Financial Mortgage Company, which was later acquired by Simmons Bank. In 1995, Harry transferred to Fayetteville, Arkansas, which he described as God’s Country. He became an active member of the Northwest Arkansas Symphony Board, the Springdale Rotary Club and Central United Methodist church. Harry retired at age 77 from Simmons Bank. Harry spent many nights and weekends attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, grilling for family dinners or cheering on his Dogs and Hogs. He was the most dedicated football fan until the very end and was always convinced he had the best play call. We always wondered if the referees could hear him hollerin’ through the TV screen. Fayetteville became home, where Harry was fortunate to see his grandchildren become young adults, while being one of the most influential and supportive people in their lives. Harry led his family in faith and was an incredible depiction of what it means to serve and love others in a Christlike way. Harry walked faithfully with true hope and trust in the Lord. Harry loved to hunt and fish. He had many wonderful adventures catching trout on the Norfolk River with his dear friend, Bill Ackerman, and hunting with his cousins in the Mississippi Delta. Harry always knew somebody everywhere he went. It was a family joke that played out time and time again. Harry and Marilyn spent many years traveling the world with sweet friends and family. Harry loved to travel and passed that love down to his children and grandchildren. Harry was sweet, thoughtful, generous, funny, compassionate and the greatest host. He never failed to call the girls “Darlin’” and with that southern, Mississippi drawl…it was priceless. He will be missed by many, but all who met him will be left with good memories of a man who was truly one of a kind. We will be missing that sweet smile and big laugh. He loved others so well and touched so many lives. There is no doubt that Harry was a true gift to his family and friends. The visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., before the Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Central United Methodist Church on Dickson Street. Interment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.
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