Lewis Gordon Fair passed away in his sleep early May 24, 2014 due to complications of diabetes at the Highland Lake Center. He was 86.
Born in Medford, Ore., April 21,1928 to Luna Hardin Fair and Homer Fair, he grew up in Elizabethton, Tenn.
Mr. Fair graduated high school in 1947 going on to Milligan College and graduated in 1952 from East Tennessee State with a B.S. degree in business.
He immediately went with JC Penney’s in Johnson City, Tenn., transferring to Jackson, Tenn., where he became assistant manager. He went to Decatur, Ala., where he was manager of the downtown Penney store. In 1968, he transferred to Albany, Ga., and then to Lakeland, Fla., in 1978 as Operation Manager.
He retired in May of 1988 from the Penney Company after 36 years of service. Through the years, Gordon always participated in many church and store sports activities. He enjoyed golf, baseball, softball, bowling and basketball.
With friends and family, Gordon loved camping, traveling, boating and water skiing. He enjoyed hunting quail on the Albany, Ga., estate of Jim and Edna Lee Champion.
As a member of the Christian Church, he participated actively on the church boards as a deacon wherever he lived.
As a retiree, he looked forward every summer to entertaining his granddaughters to all the Florida beaches and sites.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Wanda Wise, and is survived by his wife of 61 years, Burdeane Hodges Fair; his daughter, Marsha Lott (Rick) of Rincon, Ga.; a son, Mark G. Fair (Martha) of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Allison Divine Rowe (Dan) of Fort Worth, Texas, Lauren Divine Sharp (Tim) of St. Paul and Anchorage, Alaska, Andrew, David and Katie Fair of Atlanta; and step-grandsons, Matthew and Justin Lott of Atlanta. Pawpaw called all his great-granddaughters his favorites, Bryn Sharp, Deanna Canali, Isley and Ashlyn Rowe; Katie Fair joined these as a great-granddaughter also as they ranged in age from 5 to 10. Brother-in-law Jim Wise, and nephew Jay Wise (Libby) of Johnson City, sister-in-law Virginia Treadway, niece Tarn Treadway and nephew Todd Treadway were all very special friends to Gordon.
A very special appreciation to all the nurses and assistants who wonderfully cared for Gordon with such love.
The family of Lewis Gordon Fair will receive friends from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, in the Morris-Baker North Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Dr. W. Edward Fine officiating. The graveside committal service will follow at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Memories and condolences may be sent to the Fair family via www.morrisbaker.com.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, (423) 282-1521, is serving the Fair family.