In Memory
(original notice from Susan Smith Scheu)
John E. Lair – Atlanta, Georgia, On August 23, 1995 John went to have an MRI to determine the cause of headaches he’d been having. The MRI showed 2 large subdural hematomas on top of his brain and a craniotomy was scheduled for early August 24th. Immediately following the surgery, he began seizing and was declared brain dead later that evening. His heart stopped on August 27th and was declared legally dead at that time. John had suffered a seemingly uneventful fall earlier in the summer which was determined to be the cause. He was 39 at the time of his death. John graduated from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas with a business degree. He is survived by his wife Joni.
This information was submitted by John’s sister, Karen Lair Sellers, Class of 72.
7/9/2018
John Lair of the class of 1974 died in 1995. He is currently listed under unknown. John was my brother.
| From: | Karen Lair Sellers |
| Email: | ksellers90@gmail.com |
| For Year: | 1974 |
7/9/2018 - D.Rose
John Emmett Lair
Mar. 23, 1956-Aug. 27, 1995
SOUTH BEND - Services for John E. Lair, 39, of Lilburn, Ga., formerly of South Bend, who died at 12:44 p.m. Sunday in Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville, Ga., after a fall two weeks ago, were held today in St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Lilburn. Private graveside services will be held Friday in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. McGann Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Lair was employed as operations manager for Ingram Entertainment. He was born March 23, 1956, in Joliet, Ill. He is survived by his wife, Joni K. (Brzozowski) Lair of Lilburn; his parents, Mary and Raymond Lair of South Bend; three sisters, Deborah Zimmerman of Noblesville, Ind., Karen Sellers of Edmond, Okla., and Nancy Stull of Erie, Pa.; and a brother, Daniel of Edinboro, Pa. He was a graduate of Adams High School and former member of Little Flower Catholic Church.
SOUTH BEND - Graveside services and burial for John E. Lair, 39, of Lilburn, Ga., formerly of South Bend, who died at 12:44 p.m. Sunday in Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville, Ga., will be at 1:30 p.m. today in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. McGann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Brain Injury Foundation, 1447 Peachtree St. N.E., Suite 810, Atlanta, GA 30309.
05/17/2021 DEC
Karen Lair (Sellers) (1972)
On August 23, 1995 John went to have an MRI to determine the cause of headaches he’d been having. The MRI showed 2 large subdural hematoma on top of his brain and a craniotomy was scheduled for early August 24th. Immediately following the surgery he began seizing and was declared brain dead later that evening. His heart stopped on August 27th and was declared legally dead at that time. John had suffered a seemingly uneventful fall earlier in the summer which was determined to be the cause. He was 39 at the time of his death.
People have asked, so I’ve decided to elaborate on John’s death because he was rather young at the time.
Karen (Lair) Sellers
Susan Margaret Smith (Scheu) (1974)
Thank you Karen. I keep the memory book for the Class of 1974 and I remember when John passed away unexpectedly but didn't know the reason passed away and couldn't remember when. Where was John living at the time of death and did he have a family? I like to include that sort of information in the memorial.
I am so sorry you lost your brother so young. I just experienced the same thing this year. I lost my brother Al Smith, Class of 71, in February from heart disease. It's devastating to lose a sibling, no matter at what age.
Karen Lair (Sellers) (1972)
So sorry for your loss. You’re right, the loss of a sibling is difficult no matter their age.
John was married, wife Joni, at the time of his death. I believe they were married in November 1987. He graduated from St. Edwards University in Austin, TX with a business degree He and Joni we’re living in the Atlanta, Georgia area when he died. They did not have any children.
Susan Margaret Smith (Scheu) (1974)
Thank you for the information Karen. I will add it to his memorial.