Gary L. Bair, 60, of Casa Grande, AZ, died Monday, December 25, 2006 at RTA Hospice House in Casa Grande, AZ. He was born May 11, 1946 in Granite City, IL son of Ervin M. "Cubby" and Sarah Helen (Stearns) Bair. He married Dorothy Ann "Dot" Schaefer August 6, 1966 at the First United Methodist Church in Trenton, IL and she survives in Casa Grande, AZ.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Garet Bair and wife Cori of Collinsville, IL and a daughter, Kristin Frank and husband George of Casa Grande, AZ; three grandchildren; brothers and sisters, JoAnn Payne and husband Ed of Crystal Falls, MI, Duane Bair and wife Linda of Wynot, NE, Oliver Bair and wife Marie of Trenton, IL, Donald Bair and wife Patricia of Trenton, IL, Bonnie Ellison Bair of New Baden, IL, Larry Bair and wife Charlotte of Aviston, IL; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Loretta Bair and Rosalie Bair both of New Baden, IL, Pat Schaefer of Phoenix, AZ, and William and Michelle Schaefer of Upper Arlington, OH.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Mike Bair, and Harold E. "Cubby" Bair, twin brother and sister John & Jacqlyn Bair in infancy; sisters-in-law Suellen Bair and Betty Bair and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Rayburn and Margarite Schaefer.

Mr. Bair taught at the Edwardsville Elementary School for 34 years and retired in May of 2005. He graduated from Wesclin High School in 1964. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He served in Viet Nam "Jayhawks" Company "A" 9^th Aviation Battalion 9^th Infantry Division as helicopter crew chief and gunner. He was a member of the St. John United Methodist Church in Edwardsville, IL, the Phoenix American Legion Post 100, the Edwardsville American Legion, the Edwardsville Lions Club and the NEA, IEA and EEA.

He was the girls’ golf coach at Edwardsville High School and led them to a State Championship in 2004. His enjoyed playing golf as his hobby.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2007 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden, IL with Pastor Steven Friese officiating. Friends may call from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the Junior Golf League of Casa Grande and will be received at the funeral home.