One of the last LawCo Democrats Tom Blair passes

It took the lobbying of Lt. Governor Walter Dale Miller, Democrats Bill Walsh and Tom Blair to bring legal gaming to Deadwood to finance historic preservation; but, Republican greed has turned the gulch into the prostituted cultural wasteland that it is today.

Thomas Mitchell Blair passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Home in New Underwood, South Dakota. He was 81. Born January 8, 1945, to Lyle and Dawn (Darlington) Blair, Tom grew up in Groton, South Dakota, where he learned to hunt, fish, and work alongside his father at the family service station. He graduated from high school in 1963 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving nearly 12 years and attaining the rank of Captain in the Army Medical Corps, with deployment during the Vietnam War. 

In 1966, Tom married the love of his life, Linda Hanson. After living in several states, they settled in Deadwood in 1978, where Tom worked as a nurse anesthetist at Deadwood Hospital. Together, they raised four children. Tom played a significant role in shaping modern Deadwood, serving on the Deadwood — You Bet Committee and also as a city councilman and Mayor of Deadwood. He was also active in numerous civic organizations. After leaving medicine, he became a successful businessman in the gaming and tourism industries and dedicated several decades to growing the community. 

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children Roberta (Bryan) Arsaga, Christopher (Kim) Blair, Matthew (Sarah) Blair, and Chad (Christine) Blair; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Kathy Rosengren and Patsy McCullough. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Tom’s name to Northern Hills youth activity organizations. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Deadwood on Friday, February 20 at 10a.m. Tom will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery following the service. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held this summer, with details to be announced at a later date.