Sidney McNair

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

He was born Nov. 17, 1930, in Calhoun, Miss., to the late Sidney Lois and Bertie Mae Cooke McNair. He began working with the R.E.A. in 1952, then started with MO Utilities in 1956 in Senath as a lineman and was promoted to general manager. In 1977, he was named district manager for MO Utilities/Union Electric in Charleston, a position he retired from in 1990, and then moved to Bloomfield in November 1992. He was ordained as a deacon in 1960 at the First Baptist Church in Senath, and also served in that capacity while being a member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston and the 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 for 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, was an active member in the Charleston Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club serving both organizations as president, and worked as a volunteer for the Bloomfield Stars and Stripes. His involvements earned him the recognition of being named 1983 Charleston Man of the Year and the 2000 Bloomfield Man of the Year.

On Sept. 2, 1947, he married Betty L. Fesmire, who preceded him in death on May 5, 2003. On April 15, 2006, he married Doris Rickman who survives in Bloomfield.

Also surviving are: one son and daughter-in-law, Sidney Michael "Mike" and Teresa McNair of Knoxville, Tenn; one 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 all of Bloomfield, and Wayne and Angie Rickman of Eldorado Springs; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Two brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, until time of services at noon at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. The Rev. Dale Rickman, retired pastor of Kennett, will officiate. His grandson, Pastor Matt Taylor, will serve as eulogist.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

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.

Paid obiturary