Blair McGranahan was 92 and still going to protests, a regular at our “Impeach Obama Now” protests in San Diego, North County. His last protest with us was very appropriately on the 4th of July, just a few weeks before he died. His favorite sign was “STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.” We did not know then that we were saying “goodbye” to him at his last protest on Independence Day.
Below are a few images of him in his trademark, yellow Gadsden shirt, green pants and colonial tricorn hat. Blair was a very kindly gentleman, always happy to be taking part in the events. When I would get frustrated he would tell me, “Don’t give up, just don’t give up!” Blair was with us at the overpass protest in Carlsbad on June 8, 2013, when a reporter claimed that we caused a 10-mile traffic jam and news of the protest went viral.
Blair was also a regular at Tea Party events and associated with the former San Diego Minutemen, now San Diegans for Secure Borders. One of his friends, Suellen Shea, became concerned when he stopped showing up at Tea Party events. She contacted his family and found out from his daughter that he had “passed peacefully at home with his family at the end of August.”
Suellen Shea: Blair was such a wonderful patriot and, for his age, did an amazing amount of participation. He even did some highway cleanups with us. On his own, he’d attend city council meetings, put flyers on cars, and much else. Also, up until a year or two ago, he drove solo to Colorado (where he was from) each summer to see family & friends.
Jeff Schwilk, San Diegans for Secure Borders: Blair was one of a kind. I am sure he inspired thousands of patriots here in SoCal with his tireless activism and public protests. Blair was possibly the oldest “Minuteman” in America, but one of the best! Some of you may not be aware that for many years, in between organized events and tea party meetings, he also met regularly one on one with numerous local city, county, and state politicians and their staffers at their offices to lobby for conservative principles and against illegal immigration and lawlessness. He took citizen activism and initiative to a whole new level. He is missed already.
Claire van Aelstyn: He will be surely missed by everyone who knew him.
Robin Hvidston, We The People Rising: A great loss for America.
David Stagg: Blair was a very nice guy. I still remember going to the border with him in my Jeep years ago, never, ever got mad, very friendly.
Vaughn Becht, California Coalition for Immigration Reform: May he rest in peace.
Gerry Nance: Rest in peace.
Andres Wong: Eternal rest grant unto the soul of Blair, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.
We will miss our friend, Blair, but he will still be with us, in spirit, at future events. Blair never gave up, even at age 92.
R. Ogden
San Diego, Ca