WILMINGTON — After a brave battle with brain cancer, Joseph Eugene (Joe) Blair of Wilmington, NC passed away on October 9, 2023.
Joe was born to Thelma Barbour Blair and Eldridge Eugene (Pete) Blair on July 18, 1948 in Danville, VA. He grew up on Mt. Cross Rd in Pittsylvania County, VA. He attended Sharon Elementary School and Whitmell Farm Life High School. He was in the first graduating class of Tunstall High School in 1965. He went on to attend Viginia Polytechnic Institute in Danville for 2 years and graduated from VPI in Blacksburg, VA with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1969.
He began working on a training program for North Carolina Department of Transportation construction engineer in Raleigh, NC. He was drafted into the United States Marie Corp in December 1969 during the Vietnam war. After his basic training at Paris Island, he was transferred to Camp Lejune before going to serve in the Vietnam war. After the war, he transferred to Camp Pendleton in California before receiving an honorable discharge in December 1971. Joe was honored by the Marine Corp. with a citation of Navy achievement metal with combat “V” for his superior professional achievement while serving in the Vietnam War.
Joe was a 37- year NCDOT veteran where he served as division 3 construction engineer for over 21 years. He previously held resident engineer and other positions in division 7 for 12 years. While at NCDOT, he worked on many major projects including the Wilmington bypass, Jacksonville bypass and the Smith Creek Parkway in Wilmington. After retiring with the NCDOT, he worked with Mactec Engineering, Inc. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was presented to Joe for his years of service by the Governor of the State of NC in November of 2008.
Joe is a member of Masonboro Baptist Church, where he assumed many positions over the years which included Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and church Treasurer. Joe volunteered for various organizations including Habitat for Humanity and NourishNC. Joe was also a lifelong donor to the Red Cross.
Joe was survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Shirley, as well as his two sons David Patrick Blair (Jessica) and Gregory Scott Blair (Paige). He is survived by three grandchildren, Lily Mae Blair and Marley Rae and Mason Patrick Blair. He was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his sister, Ann Hayden (Bill) of Danville, VA. A nephew Joe Hancock (Kerri) and niece Brooke Still (Mike) who have many fond memories of their uncle Joe. He is survived by several great nephews and nieces.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Masonboro Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2023, at Masonboro Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Joe’s memory to Lower Cape Fear Life Care, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to Masonboro Baptist Church, 1501 Beasley Road, Wilmington, NC 28409.
