Darel Dean Bair
Darel Dean Bair, 91, of Texarkana, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
He was born July 1, 1931, in Findlay, the son of Frank L. Bair and Clara Almy Bair.
He is survived by his wife of almost 72 years, Nancy Lee Bair; four children, Connie Jean (Jim) Spears, Christina Lee (Daniel) Pinney, Stephen Frank Bair, and Cindy Lou (Aubrey Fulcher) Cannella; six grandchildren, Jonathon (Stacey) Spears, Jamie (Chad) Bennette, Terra Schropp, Sarah (Keith) Cross, Lauryn Cannella, and Anna Bair; seven great-grandsons, Jordan, Leighton, Cameron, Ethon, Dylan, Nicholas, and Kayden; and beloved Maltese, Lola Belle. Special thanks to his caregivers, Nita, Mary, Shauna, and Penny.
Not long after graduating from Findlay Senior High School in 1949, Darel began his 38-year career at Cooper Tire and Rubber Company. He worked for several years in various positions at Cooper’s Corporate Headquarters in Findlay. Then, in 1964, Darel was assigned to the four-person project team, affectionately known as the ‘Class of 64,’ responsible for the opening of Cooper’s new plant in Texarkana, Arkansas. Darel played a key role in establishing the cost control, accounting, and financial reporting policies and procedures for the new manufacturing facility. After a successful opening, Darel permanently relocated his family to Texarkana where he was promoted to Plant Comptroller. Darel was an integral member of the management team and remained at the Texarkana facility until his retirement in 1988.
Darel was an outdoor and sports enthusiast. His appreciation for the great outdoors was instilled in him at a young age. Regularly, his father would take Darel and his older brother, Keith (deceased), on camping trips to Canada. It is on these trips that Darel learned to live off the land, hunt, fish, and master the water ways in a canoe. Whether it was fly fishing for pike in Canada, dropping a line among the lily pads at Coldwater Lake in Michigan, or maneuvering a flat-bottom boat through the underwater forests of Millwood Lake in Arkansas, Darel loved to fish. However, it was in the coastal waters of Florida where he caught his award winning 11.25 lb bass.
It’s as if he heard the Siren’s call, Darel was drawn to water. Yes, he loved the quiet solitude of fishing, but he also enjoyed the speed of a ski boat and the freedom of sailing. Back in the day, if he wasn’t driving the ski boat, he would be cutting the water and making a spray on his slalom ski or teaching one of his kids, the youngest age four, to waterski. It didn’t matter if he was the captain or crew, he loved to sail freshwater lakes and the ocean blue.
Darel was an avid golfer. As a 50-year member of Texarkana Country Club, he hit the links as often as he could. His ultimate shot, however, was at a Florida course in 2003, where he made a hole-in-one. Darel was also a gifted bowler. His right hook could splatter those ten pins.
Unbeknownst to many, Mr. Bair was a self-taught, skilled builder, and woodcraftsman. In the early 1950s, Darel and his brother purchased adjacent lots, and together built, from the ground up, houses for their new brides. These two houses still stand today in Findlay.
After relocating to Texarkana, Darel focused on his family of six and his job. Then, in the mid-70s, Darel picked up his hammer, sharpened his saws, and began to build again. He added a game and TV room onto his house, which is known as Bair’s Bar. Later, Darel built a stand-alone pool house and workshop, complete with windows, cabinetry, kitchen, bath, and columned front porch.
It is at Bair’s Bar where Darel would Call the Hogs, cheer on the Cowboys, or school you in a game of pool. The doors were always open, and friends and family were always welcome.
Darel was a lifelong member of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, respected member of Texarkana Airport Authority Board, and an interim Justice of the Peace for Miller County. He was a jokester, but always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a kind and gentle man who will be deeply missed. Darel passed away peacefully and painlessly at home with his family and Lola Belle at his side.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church, 903 Walnut St., Texarkana, Texas, 75501, or Dierksen Hospice, 4613 Parkway Dr. #20, Texarkana, Arkansas, 71854.
Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.
Published by The Courier on Aug. 20, 2022.
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