Ezra Clavin Adair

Bastin, VA - Ezra Calvin Adair ”Zeke”, 87 of 4131 Dry Fork Road, Rocky Gap, VA died Saturday August 9, 2014 in a Bastian nursing home. Born April 18, 1927 in Welch, WV he was a son of the late Joe Adair and Lula Deskins Adair. Ezra began hauling coal and obtained his license to drive at the age of 13. He worked hauling house coal for J.P. Ritter before entering the military. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving from 1944 to 1946 in WWII and active Duty Reserve from 1946 – 1962. He trained at the Naval Station in Green Bay, Wisconsin n the CBE’s. During his active duty he was stationed at U.S. Naval Pier Chicago, Il, Norfolk, VA Naval Base, the Shang Gri La, After active duty he continued trucking and hauling automobiles for Baker Driveway Co. Detroit, MI where he joined the Teamsters Local Union 299(James Riddle Hoffa’s) Local Union eventually becoming Hoffa’s personal truck driver. Ezra was owner of E.C.A. Hauling Company and a sand and gravel quarry in Eastern VA, trucking and racing, mining coal and hauling equipment for Bowling Construction in Bluefield WV and many other. His last endeavor was a large coal property that he owned in Eastern Kentucky that he was developing to mine. He was always generous to the people he knew and helping them with their problems. He was well known as an excellent mechanic running several garages in the Bluefield, area. He raced cars with Curtis Turner (1946-1947) and Turner Dehart before there was a Nascar. He was a very well respected man. He will be greatly missed by friends and family and all that his life has touched. Most importantly Ezra believed in Jesus Christ and the loved of his country. God Bless. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Mary Stewart Adair a grandchild Jeremiah Samuel Adair and several brothers and sisters. Survivor include three sons; Michael D. Adair of Melford, Va and Robert W. Adair of Woodford, VA and Marshall L. Adair and wife Kristi of Rocky Gap, VA, brothers; Eddie Adair and Darrell Adair of Fredericksburg, VA, five grandchildren; Sarah Adair, Angela Adair, Dillon Adair, Shelbiana Adair and Joseph Adair. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday August 14, 2014 at 7:30 PM from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Paul Looney and Rev. Johnny Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 – 7:30 PM on Thursday evening. Private burial will be on Friday at the Adair Family Cemetery in Rocky Gap, VA Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. Those wishing to share memories or e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Ezra Adair.

Ezra Clavin Adair

April 18, 1927 - August 9, 2014