Mr. Blair Bard, age 86, of West Jefferson, died Monday morning, August 29, 2011 at North Carolina Baptist Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 11:00am at Beaver Creek Christian Church with Rev. Jim Dawes and Rev. Wayne Williamson officiating. Burial will follow at Ashelawn Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at Boone Family Funeral Home. Mr. Bard was born in Ashe County on May 22, 1925 to James Bard and Haley Bare. He served in the Navy during World War II as a bombardier. He then worked for Blue Ridge Electric and retired after 37 years of service. He was also one of the first growers of Christmas trees in the county in the late 60's and early 70's. His favorite passion was the outdoors. He was an avid sportsman and second amendment rights advocate. He shared his hobbies of hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. His belief in teaching young children to hunt and fish was always a main stay throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Ashe County Wildlife Club in the early 1960's and remained a strong supporter. He is survived by his wife Helen Jones Bard, one son; Arlen Bard and wife Debbie of West Jefferson; three daughters, Cathy Lasater of Brevard NC, Gina Gentry of Kernersville NC, and Susan Hollingsworth and husband William of Statesville NC; one sister, Patsy Stewart of Crumpler, NC; ten grandchildren; Chris Hollingsworth, Alex Hollingsworth, Stuart Lasater, Suzanne Lasater, Shade Gentry, Tess Gentry, Dusty Bard, Amber Brink, Kim McNeil, and Carrie McNeil; four great-grandchildren also survive. In lieu of flowers, please send to; Ashe County Wildlife Club, PO Box 1229, West Jefferson, NC 28694.