James Carson Blair

Dr. James Carson Blair, the son of Edwin Claud Blair and Valera Bates Blair, died of natural causes on April 8, 2016. Jim was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 1, 1941. As a young child, Jim lived with his parents on Chadwick Street in Sugar House. Early in life, Jim developed a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known as a scriptorian among his friends. After he graduated from Highland High School, Jim served a mission to London, England. Once he returned from his mission, he relied on the kindness of his brother Don as he began to attend the University of Utah. Jim also served in the Utah National Guard.

While at the University of Utah, Jim met the beautiful Karen Marie Murdock who was a BYU student. Jim and Karen were married on June 28, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity and were devoted to one another. They have four children: Benjimen James (Rob) of Seattle, Washington; Alexa Michele (Chris) Anderson of Seaside, Oregon; Emily Murdock (Michael) MacKinnon of Seattle, Washington; and Peter Joseph (Leslie) of Rexburg, Idaho. Jim continued his educational pursuits, earning a master’s degree from Utah State University and later a Doctorate from Northwestern University in Audiology. Jim worked tirelessly as a professor of audiology for the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education at Utah State University for 35 years and retired in 2015. Jim also spent several years on the Logan City School Board.

Jim’s work as a professor, counselor, and friend touched countless lives and made his community a better place. Jim always had a subtle sense of humor even in the most serious situations and was able to teach his children and students with both wit and wisdom. He was constantly fair-minded and looked for the positive in everyone he met. In addition to his wife, Karen, Jim had two other great loves: chocolate and books. He was a voracious reader who could be found reading a thick book with a dark chocolate nearby. Jim also enjoyed working with model trains and created Christmas, Spring, and Halloween train villages to share annually with friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

We will miss our “Papa” tremendously, but we know he is happy rejoining his parents and brother, Edwin Donald Blair, who preceded him in death. Jim is survived by his wife, Karen Marie Murdock Blair; his brother, Evan Max Blair; and his sister, Elaine Bracken. He is also survived by his four children and his five grandchildren.

A viewing will be held April 13, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center Street, Logan UT. Services will be held April 14, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the Foothill 2nd Ward chapel located at 1450 E. 1500 N. Logan, UT. Bishop Michael Miller will conduct the services. A viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Graveside services to follow at Logan City Cemetery located at 1000 N. 1200 E. Logan, UT. Sign Language Interpretation will be provided for the service.