Heber Martell Blair passed from our lives on Sunday, September 4th, 2016 on his ranch in Morgan Hill, California at the remarkable age of 99. He often took delight in being the oldest man in the room and to his four sons, he was 'the boss' until the very end.

He was born on June 15th, 1917 in Lewiston, Utah; the third child of George and Hattie May Blair.

He married Marian Adele Johnson on February 23rd, 1947 in San Jose, California. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 19th, 1986.

As a child, his family moved to Logan, Utah around 1923 and then to Pocatello, Idaho in 1926. During his high school years they moved to Portland, Oregon where he finished high school.

Marty, as he was known by his friends, moved to California in 1942. He was working as a reservation agent for United Airlines when he met Marian on a blind date in May of 1946. They became engaged in October and married the following February.
When asked what he believed was the key to a successful marriage, he replied "You have to have a great big ring to hold all the keys that open everything a good marriage has. But there is one little secret, certainly with us – We kiss every night. If you had fun during the day, or discomfort, or something else, your kiss is not the same – so then you'll know what has happened. And you'd better straighten it out before the next morning. And that kiss still happens – even though we're old. We understand each other and we are still happy.

Oh…and marriage takes hard work."

Their 69 year marriage produced four sons, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Marian, son Rodger William and his wife Tricia of Alameda; Russell Lowell of Lake Tahoe; Ralph Raymond and wife Abigail of Watsonville; Richard John and wife Karen of Morgan Hill; grandson Daniel John and his wife Lindsay of San Jose and granddaughter Kimberly and her husband Matt of Rancho Santa Margarita, along with their son Hunter Martell Blair and a baby that will be arriving in February.
He is also survived by two brothers Dean Blair and Aisel Blair. He was preceded in death by a brother George Edward Blair and a sister Barbara Richards.

Martell was an active member of Rotary International and the Cattlemen's Association in addition to attaining Master Mason in the Scottish Rite.

When asked what was the most important thing he would want people to remember about him, he replied "Trustworthy, I hope…and honest and cheerful. Was he a good guy? Eh, so so! Was he a person who liked to be of service to others? Yes, but beyond that – for politics or anything? No. But as a person, for himself…that is fine. And for the love I have for my wife."

Memorial services will be held 11:00am, Saturday, September 10, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1790 E. Dunne Ave., Morgan Hill, CA.