June Blair

June S. Blair

Mrs. E. Frank Blair Jr. died Friday, March 8, 2013 in Albuquerque, NM. A native of Roswell, NM June Blair was born April 25, 1926, the daughter of Henry C. and Versa Stephens Sorrells. She graduated from Roswell High School in 1943, where she ranked third in her class.

June married E. Frank Blair Jr., of Roswell, August 18, 1944 in Chicago where he was serving in the US Navy aviation cadet program. Later he was transferred to Norfolk, Virginia where they remained until the end of WWII. While the Blairs were stationed in Norfolk, June commenced a 41 year Federal career working for the US army at Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation. When they returned to Roswell in 1946, June transferred to the US Army Air Corps and became Executive Secretary to Col. William Blanchard commanding officer of the 509th Atomic Bomb B29 Wing. June took a leave of absence following the birth of her son Stephen. When he started school she returned to the Federal service at WAF Base as a court reporter. Active in community affairs, June was a charter member of the Assistance League of Roswell and of her church, St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

Upon the closure of Walker Air Force Base, the Blairs moved to Merced, California where June continued her career as a Federal Court Reporter with the Air Force. During her career she traveled throughout the Southwest, sought after for highly classified cases, as she was one of the few court reporters with top secret clearance.

When the opportunity arose in the late 70s the Blairs returned to Albuquerque, where June continued her court reporting duties at Kirkland AFB. She retired there after 41 years of federal service. Shortly before her retirement she was honored to have a new court room at Kirkland Air Force Base named in her honor.

In Albuquerque, June was a member of the Lew Wallace Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of Saint Marks on the Mesa Episcopal Church. She is predeceased by her husband Frank, son Stephen, her parents, and her sister Ada Robinson. Survivors include her nieces Whitney Blair, Kelly Robbins, Lane Leadingham and nephew Dr. Chris Robinson.

The family request contributions are made to a charity of choice.

Graveside service is scheduled for 3:00 pm, Wednesday, March 13, 2013 in the family plot at South Park Cemetery.

Service

Cemetery