Claudia Nell Blair

CLAUDIA NELL BLAIR Celebration of Life for longtime resident, Claudia Nell Blair will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Destination Grill and Conference Center (formerly Koko's). Service conducted by Dr. Pamela F. Brown. Claudia was born September 16, 1928 the daughter of Claude Dixon and Alva Nell (Pigman) Caler in Hindman, Ky. She passed away on December 6, 2015 at Vista Grande Inn at the age of 87. It was at the Hindman Settlement School that Claudia first met her future husband, Elijah Blair. This was when Elijah says he first saw his "big eyed, beautiful girl." Upon graduation in 1946 Claudia completed one year at Berea College and then transferred to Bryant Stratton Business College. At the end of her school year and upon Lige's discharge from the Army, the two high school sweethearts were married in Brinkley, Ky. on June 24, 1948. The young couple immediately moved west to begin their life-time adventure of living near and learning from the Navajo people as they became Indian Traders at the reservation stores in Utah and Arizona. Claudia was an adventurous, open-minded and realistic person who was passionate about learning. She learned by observation of and experiencing life around her and, of course, her reading. There was never a time when a dictionary was not within an arm's reach when she read. A set of dog-eared encyclopedias was near when further information was desired. Claudia and Elijah had three daughters, one son, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, all of whom benefited from the love given them by Claudia, and the adventures and discussions they were privileged to have with her. Claudia loved her family and getting to share with them reports on her reading, stories of fishing trips and traveling, and yes, her humor. She was very quick witted, enjoying practical jokes. Surviving Claudia are her husband of 67 years, Elijah Blair of Cortez, Colo.; her daughters, Kathy Ann Blair (Bob Ingeholm) of Page, Ariz. and Vonda Lynn Garland (Bill) of Arriola, Colo.; her son, James Caler Blair (Sandy) of Page, Ariz; her six grandchildren, Greg Havran, Curtis Havran, Sarah Mauger, Kelli Garland, Chris Garland, and Eric Lewis; and by her twelve great grandchildren. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents; by an infant daughter, Sandra Kay Blair and by an baby brother, William Hurst Caler. Memorial contributions may be made in Claudia's name to First National Bank, 2258 East Main Street, Cortez, CO 81321. The funds will be forwarded to United Indian Traders Entrepreneur Scholarship at N.A.U. School of Business.