Alex Paul
Although he was a chief of police for six years in Toppenish, Wash., it was Thomas Blair’s 19 years as a street cop that he truly loved, especially the time he spent as a motorcycle officer.
Saturday, friends and customers of the Bohemian Club Tavern, saluted the former owner since 1995, who died unexpectedly May 14 of a heart attack.
An Army veteran, local veterans groups formed a color guard and fired a volley of rifle shots in Blairs honor. His widow, Frances, was presented with a memorial flag.
“I’ve lost my best buddy,” Mrs. Blair said. “We would have been married 41 years next month.”
She also told a couple humorous stories about Blair’s days as a motorycle policeman.
“He loved that motorcycle,” she said. “He and another officer would try to have the most chrome on their bikes.”
Mrs. Blair said that her husband once laid the motorycle down while chasing an errant driver.
“The lights were flashing and the siren was blaring,” she said. “But even though that bike weighed almost 800 pounds, he managed to yank it back upright and ride down the street.”
Another time, Blair plowed into the side of a car that had pulled in front of him.
“He flew over the handle bars and riped his britches. He was pretty bruised but he never broke a bone,” she said.
There were times, she said, when her husband was working undercover, when she might not see him for days or weeks.
“But he really loved the street side of police work much more than the administration side,” Mrs. Blair said. “That was during a time when you could be a police officer and be respected for it.”
Tom Smith, former Chief of Police at Cottage Grove, worked with Blair and read a list of current and former police officers who have risen through the ranks of Oregon and Washington departments, that were tutored by Blair.
His step-daughter said she remembers riding in Blair’s patrol car back in the days when they were big and boasted powerful engines. When she recently purchased a new car known for its get up and go, she called Blair, who was proud they shared an interest in cars. He also loved driving his blue mid-60s Thunderbird around town.
“I remember we played a lot of board games and he introduced me to the world of fast food and Mexican food which I still enjoy,” she said.
She also enjoyed watching James Bond moves with Blair. “I guess you could say we were good companions.”
Local pool shooters saluted Blair for his support of their ongoing tournaments.
Employees said Blair made it clear when he first bought the tavern that it was going to be “my way or the highway” but it was soon evident that their new boss cared about them at work and in their daily lives.
“He was always there for the employees. We’re greatly going to miss him,” a bartender said.
Another man added, ” Tom was a good friend. If you gave him credit, he always gave you credit back.”
Blair’s daughter, RaeLynn Lingenfelter, presented the tavern with a plaque in memory of her father.
Thomas R. Blair
December 18, 1937-May 14, 2004
Thomas Ray Blair, 66, of Sweet Home died at Lebanon Community Hospital on Friday, May 14, 2004.
He was born in Harrisburg, Pa., on Dec. 18, 1937, the son of Ray E. and Clara Mildred (Hake) Blair.
He was an army veteran and spent 25 years on the Toppenish (Washington) Police Department, six of those as Chief of Police.
Mr. Blair married Frances B. Winters. They came to Sweet Home from Oceanside, Calif. in 1995.
He was the owner of the Bohemian Club Tavern since that time.
He is survived by his wife, Frances of Sweet Home; children, Raelyn Lingenfelter of Sweet Home; Jan Reynolds of Torrance, Calif., Caryn Collier of Woodbridge, Va., and Thomas A. Blair of Salem; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bohemian Club Tavern.
A private family committal will be held.
The Workman and Steckly Funeral Chapel handled arrangements.