Keith Blair, 73, of Flandreau, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Eastman Hall in Flandreau, SD. Visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a wake service beginning 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Eastman Hall.
Keith Blair was born on November 10, 1950 in Harlan, Iowa to Robert and Lois (Ray) Blair. The family later moved to Council Bluffs, IA where Keith attended school until the seventh grade. The family then moved to Sioux Falls where Keith attended Lincoln High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War. When he returned home, he married and was blessed with his daughter, Christal in 1972 and son, Kyle in 1976. He was then divorced at which time he moved to Colman, SD where he met lifelong friend, Betty Armstrong and her son, Mike Tollefson. They were blessed with a daughter, Sunshine in 1984 and son, Aaron in 1987. The couple remained lifelong friends.
In 1985, Keith moved and resided in Flandreau until his death.
He was employed at T&R Electric in Colman for a time before spending 14 years at Royal River Casino where he worked as a cook. He also worked in security at the old Bingo Hall along with being a cashier and cook at the Dakota Stop. In 2005 he found his work family at River’s Edge.
Keith was also very proud of his military service; he was enlisted from 1969-1971 as a Lance Corporal. He was a Vietnam veteran and received the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. His hobbies included going to auctions, rummage sales, antique shopping, all the grandkids’ school concerts and games and being an awesome mechanic. His passion was fishing with his family as often as possible. He had many great memories catfishing with his friend Jamie. Archery contests and target shooting were other pastimes he enjoyed throughout the years; and in his early years, he enjoyed illegal street racing with Dan and Kevin. He had a deep affection for his fur babies all throughout his lifetime.
He was a loving and accepting person of everyone, gave the best advice, and always had great life stories. To this day he is loved and called Dad by many lifelong friends and family members.
Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Christal Blair, Valley Springs, SD, Kyle Blair, Sioux Falls, SD, Sunshine Blair (Tim Eagle Elk) Flandreau, SD, Aaron (Jess) Blair, Flandreau, SD and stepson, Michael Tollefson, Flandreau, SD; grandchildren, Mya Nichols, Mataya and Hazen Eagle Elk, Syri, Marshall, Aaron Jr., Cameron, Cayden, and Jayni Blair, and Mikey and Elijah Tollefson; lifelong friend, Betty Armstrong, Flandreau, SD; brother, Craig (Vivian) Blair, Marian, IA; sisters, Deb (Mike) Burdette, Boone, IA, Lori Blair, Boone, IA; and many nieces and nephews as well as many kids he considered his own throughout the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lois Blair; grandparents; his dog, Beau, and many other fur babies.
