James "Jim" Arthur Blair, 94, of Ree Heights, SD, passed away Sunday, August 22, 2021, at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller, SD.   Visitation will take place from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27, at the Ree Heights Auditorium in Ree Heights.  His funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at the Morning Side Cemetery in Ree Heights. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, SD.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

James "Jim" Arthur Blair was born on October 4, 1926, in Coleridge, NE to Maynard and Della Rose (True) Blair.  He attended rural Fairview School in Clearwater, NE.  He worked on the family farm before serving in the United States Army from 1945 through 1947.

After his honorable discharge from the army, Jim married Lois Perdew on January 18, 1948, in Neligh, NE.  They worked on ranches in Nebraska before moving to the Ree Heights, SD area in 1951.  They worked on the Jennings Brother's Ranch for 35 years.  He always took great care in doing his best with the cattle he cared for.  He also worked construction for a few years after retiring from the ranch.

He enjoyed driving horses, rebuilding wagons, and his farm and ranch life.  Jim and Lois also enjoyed square dancing, salvage work, and cutting and splitting wood.

He was a member of the Heasley Post #101 American Legion of Ree Heights, VFW of Miller, Ree Heights Town and Country Club and Volunteer Fire Department.

Jim is survived by his children:  Jeanne Deuter of Ree Heights; John (Babby) Blair of Highmore, SD; Verna (Tim) McMahon of Miller, SD; and Loyce (Carl Hoskins) Blair of Deadwood, SD; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and one great-great grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lois; son Frank; granddaughter Heidi Blair; and all of his siblings.