Alton William Blair

Alton “Al” Blair of Yucaipa peacefully passed away at the at of 79 on July 13, 2024. Born in Loma Linda, Al grew up in Fontana and graduated from Fontana High School in 1962. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1965, and served in the Red Horse Civil Engineering unit stationed in Thailand during the Viet Nam war. After four years of service, Al returned home where he then graduated from Chaffey College and CSU San Bernardino with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While attending college, Al worked at the California Youth Authority and then Riverside Probation Department as a Juvenile Hall counselor. He was always firm but kind with juveniles; he made the kids laugh. Al was subsequently promoted to a Deputy Probation Officer, and retired in 2004 as a Supervisor. Al and his wife loved to travel, especially to Asia. They became involved with and supported an orphanage in Thailand. He was also a fan of football, which he played in both high school and college. He was also an assistant coach at Fontana High School for a few years. He loved going to and watching USC football and Dodgers baseball games. Al was very athletic, and went to the gym regularly until his health began to fail. He enjoyed meeting every morning with his friends at Starbucks in Yucaipa. Al was an outgoing person who made friends wherever he went. He would stop and help others in need. Everyone who knew him has warm and kind memories that will never be forgotten. Al loved spending time with his family. He was a dedicated "papa" who supported and had fun with his daughter, Sara. He enjoyed watching Sara perform at the Redlands Theatre Festival and never missed a performance. He loved cheering for his grandson Connor when he played baseball and hearing about how he was doing on his drums and guitar. Al loved taking trips to visit his beloved sister Claudine in Oregon, and going to lunch with his brother David. Al is survived by his wife, Diane; his daughter, Sara and son in law, Alex; his grandson, Connor; two siblings, David Blair and Claudine Rayfield; and two nieces, Mike Shipley and Amy Woods. The memorial service and Celebration of Life for Al will be held Friday, July 26, 10:30 - 11:30 am, at Preston and Simons Mortuary, 3358 Mission Inn Av. in Riverside, followed by a reception from 11:30 - 1:00 pm. A burial service will held at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, from 1:45 - 2:15 pm

Alton William Blair

January 15, 1945 - July 14, 2024