Memorials › Rayburn Lee Blair

Rayburn Lee Blair

24 Dec 1930 – 12 Oct 2024

Birth24 Dec 1930
Death12 Oct 2024
CemeteryDallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
Dallas , Dallas County , Texas , USA
Added byDebbie Gibbons on 07 Jan 2025
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/277993517

Gravesite details

Interment, Jan 16, 2025

Bio

Rayburn Lee Blair was born early on a cold Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 1930, in the small town of Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. On October 12, 2024, at the age of 93 Rayburn slipped peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At that moment he was also reunited with the love of his life, his precious wife of 74 years, a daughter, his parents, two sisters, brother, brothers-in-law, sons-in-law, a great grandson, and many, many family members and friends. Rayburn surrendered to the call of God while distinguishing himself as a young combat US Marine fighting for his life in the bitterly cold North Korean battlefield known as The Chosin Reservoir. Once back home in Arlington, Texas he attended Arlington Baptist University where he graduated Valedictorian in 1957. He was passionate about serving God and loving people. His first pastorate was at Westside Missionary Baptist Church in Arlington. In 1963 Rayburn answered God's call to move his young family to Tallahassee, Florida to begin Temple Baptist Church. By God's grace, Temple grew into a large ministry affecting much of North Florida and South Georgia. Under the Lord's leadership the church founded North Florida Christian School, Lighthouse Children's Home, Haven of Rest Rescue Mission, Tallahassee Food Bank, a prison ministry, a regional television ministry, a mission in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; Gadsden Christian School in Havana, Florida; and Aucilla Christian School in Monticello, Florida. Rayburn has ministered to thousands and was a spiritual guide to Governors, Senators, legislators and community leaders. He loved people and was always amazed how God had blessed his efforts to share the teachings of Jesus to all he met. One of his favorite verses, which he quoted many times over the years is Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Rayburn was preceded in death by his wife Bettie Ashcraft Blair, parents, Robert Lee Blair and Alma Gore Blair, sister and brother-in-law Betty and Bill Rychlik, sister and brother-in-law Alta and Ed Kirk, brother Tommy Blair, daughter Mary Curtis, great grandson Bryan Lane, sons-in-law Jerry Glenn and Ron Tyler, niece Becky Jennings and nephew-in-law Ronald Reeves. Survivors: Children and their spouses, sister-in-law, ninety-four grand, great and great-great grandchildren; grandsons-in-law, granddaughters-in-law; cousins and numerous nephews and nieces. Memorial: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 1pm; Pleasantview Baptist Church, 4400 Pleasantview Dr, Arlington, TX. 76017 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Pleasantview Baptist Church, Arlington, TX; Lighthouse Children's Home, Tallahassee, FL; or North Florida Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida

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