Sidney McNair

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Sidney Burl McNair, 82, of Bloomfield, formerly of Charleston, Mo., and Senath, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at his home.

He was born Nov. 17, 1930, in Calhoun, Miss., to Sidney Lois and Bertie Mae Cooke McNair.

McNair began working with R.E.A. in 1952, then started as a lineman with Missouri Utilities in 1956 at Senath, and was promoted to general manager. In 1977 he was named district manager with Missouri Utilities/Union Electric in Charleston, a position he retired from in 1990. He moved to Bloomfield in November 1992.

He was ordained as a deacon in 1960 at First Baptist Church in Senath, and also served in that capacity while being a member of First Baptist Church in Charleston and First Baptist Church in Bloomfield. He had great interest in studying the Bible, in particular the Old Testament books, and had taught Sunday school classes 30 years. Always a supporter of the community in which he lived, he worked with youth as a coach for the Senath Baseball Pony League.

McNair was an active member of Charleston Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, serving both organizations as president, and was a volunteer at the Stars and Stripes Museum/Library in Bloomfield. His involvements earned him the recognition of being named 1983 Charleston Man of the Year and 2000 Bloomfield Man of the Year.

He and Betty L. Fesmire were married Sept. 2, 1947. She preceded him in death May 5, 2003. He and Doris Rickman were married April 15, 2006.

Survivors include his wife; a son and daughter-in-law, Sidney Michael "Mike" and Teresa McNair of Knoxville, Tenn.; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy Gail and Gary Denton of Denton, Texas; three stepsons and stepdaughters-in-law, Bill and Brenda Rickman and Freddie and Trella Rickman of Bloomfield, Wayne and Angie Rickman of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

The funeral will be at noon at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dale Rickman, retired pastor of Kennett, Mo., officiating. Matt Taylor, grandson, will serve as eulogist. Interment will be in IOOF Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Matt Taylor, Edward "E.B." Denton, Joshua Denton, Wayne Rickman, Shawn Hudgens, and Jim Forbey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Albert Goodin, Ray Presson, Calvin Taylor, Gary Wood, Steve Morrison, and Bob Bye.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.