BLAIR, Michael Taun

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona Michael T Blair (June 26, 1953 - November 9, 2011) Michael Taun Blair, of Flagstaff, Arizona died November 9, 2011, at the Flagstaff Medical Center in the company of his brother and friends. Mike died after a valiant battle with cancer. Mike was born June 26, 1953, in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Gerald Blair Sr. and the late Anne Elizabeth Coveny-Blair. He was the older of 2 siblings. He graduated from Glendale High School in 1971. He married Linnea Peterson in 1978. They became the parents of two wonderful sons, Geoffrey and Sean. Mike served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman attaining the rank of Petty Officer First Class from November 1976 until his retirement in 1996. During his distinguished service Mike served at Naval Training Center San Diego, Naval Medical Center, Camp Lejeune North Carolina, Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, Pensacola Florida, Naval Air Station Lemoore California, Naval Station Rota Spain, Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia, Naval Air Station Norfolk Virginia and the Naval School of Health Sciences, San Diego. Mike served as the hospital corpsman for a number of Navy air squadrons including Light Attack Squadron 195, Electronic Surveillance Squadron Two, Fighter Squadron Eleven, and Early Warning Squadron 124. He was deployed several times, serving aboard the USS America, USS John F. Kennedy, USS Abraham Lincoln and most notably the USS Theodore Roosevelt during Operation Desert Storm. He received many awards and accolades for his service including two Navy Achievement Medals, four Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, two Southwest Asia Combat Medals (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), two Marksman Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon with Presidential Citation, a Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, a Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon, three Southwest Asia Service ribbons, three Sea Service ribbons and three Overseas Service ribbons. He also received numerous Letters of Commendation, Certificates of Appreciation, Good Conduct Awards and was named Sailor of the Quarter. Mike volunteered in many capacities including: Community Emergency Response Team Instructor, First Aid Instructor and as the Vice President of the Northern Arizona Amateur Radio Club. He was an early adopter of personal computers back in the early 1980s and enjoyed computer games. He loved animals, listening to music and enjoyed reading, especially Science Fiction. Mike is survived by his sons Geoffrey M. Blair of San Mateo, CA and Sean P. Blair of San Diego, his father Gerald C. Blair Sr. of Lake Havasu, AZ, his brother Gerald C. Blair Jr. of Munds Park , AZ and his beloved dog Angel. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Elizabeth Blair. A service will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 10:00 am to 11:30 with a reception immediately following at Norvel Owens Mortuary 914 E. Route 66, Flagstaff AZ. It was Mike’s desire to be cremated and to have his ashes spread at sea by the crew of a Navy ship on which he served. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Second Chance Animal Rescue Center at 11665 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 or at www.secondchancecenter.org.