Blair Jepsen Seamons

Blair Jepsen Seamons, 78, Preston, passed away peacefully at home Dec. 15, 2014. He was born on his mother’s birthday, Oct. 31, 1936, to Delbert Bennett and Elsie Lucille Jepsen Seamons, in their home on Capitol Hill, Mink Creek, Idaho.

Blair was in the first group of students that rode a bus to Preston High School once the Mink Creek School closed down, making him a part of history – something he truly enjoyed and was known for among his friends and family. Nevertheless, he did say that what he learned in the blacksmith shop just down from his home was far more influential in his life than book-learning was. In later years, his friends could describe a noise made by their vehicle and he could correctly diagnose the problem. He loved fixin’ vehicles of all kinds.

Blair worked for the Forest Service blazing and clearing roads into the Mink Creek Steeps to earn enough money to buy his sweetheart a wedding ring. He and Janet Knudson were married Nov. 14, 1956, and later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple.

He spent many years working as a butcher for his father-in-law at Knudson Meat Packing Company on West Oneida. He shared that much appreciated knowledge with his family during hunting season.

He also spent many years working for LeGrand Johnson in Soda Springs until he became the supervisor of the transportation department for Preston School District. During the two decades he spent there, he made many dear friends across the state, leaving his mark by inventing a bus-washing system that has been highly admired.

After his retirement, Blair and Janet spent all their time together, a pattern they established over their 58 years of marriage. When he began losing her to Alzheimer’s eight years ago, he committed to taking care of her himself, which he did with the help of his children. Losing him first was shocking to his children.  

Blair is survived by Janet, his children: Kevin (Noreen) Seamons, Jan (Necia) Seamons and Karen (Kevin) Pitcher, 13 grandchildren and 18 and a half great-grand children, and his siblings, Virginia Hansen, Delbert “Bud” (Twila) Seamons and Scott (Catherine) Seamons. He is preceded in death by a baby daughter, LeAnne, and his parents.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11:00 a.m. in the Preston Eighth Ward building at 213 S. 200 East, in Preston with Bishop Jerry Petterborg conducting.  A viewing will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 800 East and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 at the church.  Interment will be in the Mink Creek, Idaho Cemetery.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com