Thomas Blair

Thomas (Tom) Russell Blair, age 81, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the Arthur J.E. Child Cancer Center in Calgary, Alberta.

Tom was born on June 18, 1944 to Russell and Nellie Blair. He grew up on the family farm south of Granum where he later raised his own family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 58 years, Linda, his two children, Tracy (Michael) Inaba and Ken (Darcy) Blair. He is also fondly remembered by 5 grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud - Chelsea (Brent) Holland, Brayden (Destiny Harvie) and Tristan Inaba, Riley and Kateri Blair, and his pride and joy, a great grandson Miles Holland who he met just one week before his passing.

After high school, he went to Alberta Agricultural & Vocational College in Olds where he earned a Diploma in Agriculture with Honors in 1965 and made lifelong friends. In 1968, Tom married the love of his life, Linda, and together, the two of them farmed until they sold the family farm in 2001. Tom and Linda continued ranching from their dream spot up in the hills until they sold their cows to their son Ken and daughter-in-law Darcy in 2020.

Tom worked as the postmaster in Granum from 1972-1999. He was the chairman of the Alberta Victims of Crime Program Committee for the Alberta government for 10 years. He was involved in many community organizations including serving on the Granum Volunteer Fire Department from 1964-1994, serving on Granum Town Council, being an active member of his church board, and a founding member of the Granum Park Society.

Tom was the ultimate host and loved sharing a beverage with those who stopped in to visit. He always had a joke to tell and a story to share.

He was a man of strong conviction; his faith was very important to him and guided his life.

One of Tom’s greatest passions was hiking and climbing mountains with his climbing buddies Don and Henry. He loved fishing, canoeing, camping, and doing anything outdoors. He loved going for daily hikes up in the hills where he lived until his passing.

He was predeceased by his parents, Nellie and Russell Blair; his sister, June Reid and brother-in-law Robert Reid.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Tom at the Community Center in Claresholm on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s name to the future Cardiac Care Centre for Southern Alberta. https://crhfoundation.ca/cardiaccare/cardiaccare_donate.php