Edward John Clair

Air Force Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Edward “Chief/Poppa” Clair passed away on Feb 15, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV after a lengthy battle with M.S. Ed was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 17, 1947, to Walter and Betty Clair. The oldest of 4 children, Ed was only moderately interested in school, often choosing opportunities to sneak into Forbes Field to watch the Pirates play or head down to a local hangout for some poutine, rather than being in class at his all-boys school. Not wanting to go to college, Ed set his sights on joining the Air Force after high school. His life would be changed forever before leaving high school when late in his senior year he met Paula Jean Mostowski while attending a dance with an all-girls school. Ed courted Paula through the summer of 1965 but then left for Air Force basic training in Aug 1965. Over the next four years Ed would become an aircraft mechanic and then join the war effort in Vietnam. He received several decorations during this time, including being awarded the Bronze Star for repairing an aircraft while taking mortar fire from enemy positions. Despite being in places around the world, Ed took every opportunity to return to Pittsburgh to court his sweetheart, Paula. The effort paid off and on Apr 26, 1969, they were married. The next 19 years saw the couple move all around the world with their daughters Jessica and Angela, before finally retiring in Las Vegas, NV because the daughters wanted to stay because they had ‘No Roots’ anywhere. Chief Clair then worked as a commercial aircraft mechanic before changing to golf course maintenance and eventually as a starter at his home golf course before finally retiring for good. Described by his grandson Jared as a “Cool Guy,” Ed loved nothing more than just spending time with the greatest loves of his life which were his 5 grandchildren, although the Steelers were definitely a close second. After his struggles with M.S. made walking difficult, he could often be found cruising around with the grandkids while in his power chair, frequently leaving battle scars throughout the house, and as Jared said, “Poppa is now crashing into the walls of heaven.” He is survived by his wife Paula, daughters Jessica (Jason) Kimbel and Angela (Mike) Rokaw, grandchildren Jared, Colbey, Sophie, Lacey, and Sammie, sister Arlene, and brothers Ron and Tom. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the MS Society: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/Edward-Clair-Memorial. Burial will take place at the Southern Nevada Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV on May 20, 2022, at 11:20 A.M.. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com

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