Frankie Delano "Del" Blair

Frankie Delano (Del) Blair

Del was born to Frankie Lee and Dora Lee Blair on July 25, 1935, in Amarillo, Texas. He lived his life with gusto, a young rebel, US Army veteran, airplane mechanic & pilot (crop duster, unsuccessful Blair International Airline venture, corporate pilot).

He was credited by the FAA for saving the lives of all the White Shield Oil & Gas executives aboard in a crash that occurred in 1969 when both engines on the plane failed. The FAA report read, “Pilot expertise and precision prevented incineration of aircraft and imminent death of all aboard.” His broken back ended his flying career but not his dedication. He retired from American Airlines as AP/AI mechanic/inspector in 2003.

In the middle of it all he shed the rebel life and began to serve the Lord. Church lay worker, prison ministry, Alcoholic Anonymous counselor, Mend pregnancy Center, Pro-Life advocate and veterans’ advocate. He was a gentleman who practiced good old-fashioned chivalry and a strong and fearless man who stood up to those who would dare assail the defenseless. It took Del a while to realize that his many skills and wisdom weren’t something that he made happen, it was revealed to him that his understanding and faith are from the Holy Spirit, free gifts that our Lord had blessed him with. Flawed and sinful? Undeniable. Forgiven, servant who answered the call of the Lord? No doubt. Congratulations dad. Your race is run. You’re in eternity with the Lord and you won’t ever screw up again. He had his flaws, but his “do as I say, not as I do” admonishments are probably an appropriate confession of every Christian parent to provide to their children. He understood that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross paid our debt and fixed it so that we can rest in the confidence that our eternal home in the presence of the Lord is secure. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.

Del was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Raymond, sister Priscilla and a son Frankie Jay. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Hilda Jane, sons Robin Del, Kenneth Paul and Kelly Wren, daughter Vallilea, 10 grandchildren & many great & great-great grandchildren. Viewing will be November 1 from 1-6 PM at MMS Payne Funeral Home in Claremore, Ok. (The family will be present from 4-6). The service will be held on November 2 at 1:00 PM at Destiny Life Church in Claremore with interment to follow at Floral Haven cemetery Veterans Field of Honor in Broken Arrow.