Blair Douglas Peden

August 3, 1949 - March 27, 2024

In loving memory ~

After a series of rare neurological medical events, we said a tearful goodbye to Blair on March 27.

Blair will be dearly missed by wife Jan, daughter Leah (Ryan), grandchildren Kennedy and Ben, sister Lindy Deas and her daughters Susan and Stephanie, brothers/sisters-in-law, Allan Bahen and Anne Lockington, Laurie and Don Bell, Don Bahen and Mary Delury, and many nieces and nephews.

Blair was born in Ottawa to Douglas and Betty Peden. He moved to Vancouver in 1968 on a football scholarship, attending Simon Fraser. He then worked selling cars for his uncle before moving to Victoria to attend UVIC followed by the Justice Institute.

In 1976 he moved to Vernon to start his career as a Probation Officer, and took satisfaction from helping troubled youth, staying in the field until his retirement 27 years later. He and Jan met on their slow-pitch baseball team and were married in 1985. Leah was born not long after and Blair loved being a Dad. He and Leah shared a love for music and sports, especially the Canucks, where they never missed watching a game together.

One of his other passions was cars. Blair competed in races around North America and even into his senior years he was still known for his souped-up cars and lead foot.

Blair also loved being outside and was tanned year-round. He coached Leah's soccer, was an avid skier, played hockey for 40+ years and enjoyed working with his hands. He held a Society Membership at Predator Ridge where you'd find him multiple days a week with his devoted golf buddies working on his trademark one-handed putting. In recent years he played at The Rise Golf Course.

Blair was actively involved in the Community, including 44 years on the John Howard Society Board and was honoured with the aptly named Blair's Apartments, an affordable housing facility on 28th Ave in Downtown Vernon. He also was a Director for the BX Swan Lake Community Assn and Alternate Director of the Regional District of the North Okanagan (RDNO). He started Awards and Trophies HQ in 2007 where he took great joy in being part of his dedicated clientele's milestones and achievements.

Blair's Celebration of Life will be held on May 19 at the Coldstream Community Hall.