Hunter T. Blair

Hunter T. Blair, age 24, of Hudson, WI, unexpectedly and suddenly passed away on December 4, 2016, in Laramie, WY.

Born on March 7, 1992, in St. Paul, MN, the first born son of Thomas and Ingrid (Benz) Blair, Hunter attended Willow River Elementary and was a 2010 graduate of Hudson High School. Hunter was a beautiful boy, fun-loving, passionate and smart. As a young boy, he was drawn to G.I. Joes, Legos, and trucks which were foreshadowers of his passion, as well as brought out his artistic and creative talents. Throughout his life, he loved to sketch vehicles, especially four-wheel drive trucks.

Hunter loved his brothers. They played, laughed, argued, and supported each other, and were very important people to him. He loved being the eldest and was happiest when he was with his family. Hunter’s loyalty and love for his three grandparents was insurmountable. The simple times with them spent at the cabin, stopping by Grandma’s after school, or laughing around the dinner table were cherished moments to Hunter.  His wicked sense of humor and quick wit made him magnetic. Even though he was full of fun and bravado, he still harbored a deeply sensitive and caring nature, always taking care of others and being a good friend.

Because Hunter loved skiing and the outdoors, working at Afton Alps throughout high school was a natural fit.  He enjoyed the social side of it too and made many friends. He was great at it and later helped his dad in his ski rep business by tuning, waxing the demo skis each year, and doing custom ski tuning for his family and friends.  It was important to him, as skiing was a passion the whole family shared, and many memories and stories were born on those ski trips.

After dabbling in the workforce, attending two colleges, and living in Colorado and Arizona, he found his true north, and on September 22, 2016, he began his program at the prestigious and competitive WyoTech for Mechanic Repair Training in Laramie, WY. It was in these few short months that he had found his niche, his passion. He was engaged, serious, focused, and determined to be the best. He was top of his class, diligent about studying, and had high aspirations to be successful – and he was. For the first time in his educational career, he was proud of himself and all of his accomplishments, and he exuded that love and pride after his very first day at WyoTech.  He spoke glowingly of his friends at Wyotech, sharing a passion with for all things automotive, driving in the mountains, and laughing and loving life.

Hunter cherished his relationships with others. Not only did he love them intensely, but he was so grateful for all of those who loved him. His mom was his biggest supporter and friend, and Hunter called her to talk several times a week while he was at Wyotech. Along with his significant relationships with his mom, brothers, grandparents and friends, Hunter had an extraordinary bond with his dad. They loved being together as they shared the same passions: 70’s rock music, taking rides out in the country and talking, joking and laughing.  Hunter enjoyed deer hunting with Tom on their family land in Ellsworth.  He looked forward to the annual Canadian fishing trip with Tom, his brothers, Jake and Cooper, and close family friends.  What Hunter loved dearly was skiing fast, even better was skiing fast with his dad.  While in Prescott, AZ, he became a volleyball aficionado and a fiercely competitive player, where he also formed many lifelong friendships.

Hunter never lost his silly side, his bullheadedness, or his macho confidence. His parents were his refuge, the safe place in his storm; his brothers were his encouragers; his friends were his confidants. He was a deeply loved, respected, and cherished young man and will be terribly missed.

He is survived by his parents, Tom and Ingrid Blair; brothers, Cooper and Jake Blair; grandparents, Gerhard & Carol Benz and Sally Blair; uncles, Bob (Connie) Blair and Erick (Linda) Benz; aunt, Heidi (Gary) Oldland; and cousins: Henry & Charlie Benz, and Cullin, Emily & Erin Oldland. He is preceded in death by his infant sister, Alexandra Nicole Blair.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 4-8PM, Friday, December 9, 2016, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, December 10, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson with a gathering held one hour before the service at the church. Any memorials given to the family will be donated to a scholarship fund in Hunter’s name.