Sidney Lee Blair, 94, of Daytona Beach, Florida passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Florida Hospital Hospice CareCenter, Daytona Beach.
He was born July 2, 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia to Jessie and Olan Blair. His father was killed serving with the Atlanta Fire Dept. when Sidney was only three and was raised by his wonderful mother. Sidney, his wife and baby daughter relocated to Daytona Beach in 1947. He owned and operated several businesses in the Daytona Beach area and was a part-time Police Lt. with the City of Daytona Beach for 23 years. He was a sales representative with Crump & Co., a large machinery and packaging company. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 270, Daytona Beach, the Bahia Shine, Orlando, FL where he served as Captain of their patrol, he was also a member of the Jesters. Sidney honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during WW II as well as during the Korean War. He joined in September of 1942 and was present at the invasion of Normandy aboard the YMS231 clearing mines, directing ships and landing crafts through cleared areas. In 1945 he assisted with LCVP's crossing of the Rhine River of which he received the WW II Victory, the American Theater Medal, European-African Medal with 2 stars, the Asiatic -Pacific Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Normandy Medal, and the Jubilee of Liberty Medal. Sidney loved his country, his flag and his ship, "The 231" He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and simply sitting outside watching the boats go by. He was kind, gentle and honorable, a man of his word or a hand shake. He loved his family and the many great times together, laughing, hugging and teasing his grandsons. Sidney was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Frances Blair Deaton, and brother, Olan A. Blair, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Doris Blair, his daughter, Brenda (Pat) Blair Thomas of Daytona Beach, grandsons, Tracy N. Thomas, Deland, FL, and Patrick M. (Cindy) Thomas, Jr., Simi Valley, CA, three great-grandchildren, Bailey Blair Thomas, Hannah Nicole Thomas, Deland, and Rachael Lynn Thomas, Simi Valley, nephews, Wayne (Judi) Blair Deaton, Maysville, GA, Steven Ray (Elizabeth) Deaton, Conyers, GA, his sister-in-law, Betty (Horace) Crump, and nephew Russell (Arleen) Crump, Athens, GA, niece, Mary Grace Ezell, New York, NY, great nieces, great-nephews, and many friends. Sidney is loved beyond words and will be greatly missed. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 20th at 12:00, funeral services will follow at 1:30 pm at Lohman Funeral Home; 733 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach. Interment will follow at Volusia Memorial Park. Memorial contributions in Sidney's memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, the Parkinson Assoc. of Greater Daytona Beach or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the careful care of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com