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Ardyth Delane Blaise, 93, of Fayette passed away September 13, 2026, at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia.
Ardyth was the son of Code and Thelma (Golden) Blaise and was born on July 18, 1933, at the home of his grandparents, Everet and Alice Golden, on their farm northeast of Burton, MO. Later, on the same day, his cousin, Bobby Fisher, the son of Leslie and Wilma Fisher, was born in the same home. Bobby survived only a few months.
Ardyth graduated from Fayette High School in 1951. For a few months he worked at Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS. He then returned to Fayette and entered the University of Missouri. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1953. Upon completing boot camp in San Diego, CA, he attended Air Traffic Controller schools in the airfields on the island of Guam, Oakland, CA, and Hutchinson, KS. Upon receiving his discharge in January 1957, he returned to Fayette and reentered the University of Missouri majoring in Industrial Relations. Shortly after returning home from the Navy, on March 17, 1957, he had a blind date with a Central Methodist College student, Janet Heavin, who insisted on taking her roommate, Ethel Schneider, along as a chaperone. Ardyth and Janet were married on the television show “Bride and Groom” at NBC Studios in New York City, on August 6, 1957.
Upon completing his college degree in 1960, Ardyth joined General Motors Assembly Plant in Kansas City, KS, and became General Manager of Labor Relations. He subsequently was transferred to Detroit, MI, Wilmington, DE, Baltimore, MD, and Kansas City, MO. He then joined Chesebrough-Ponds in Jefferson City, MO, in 1974, as Human Resources Manager. In 1984, Ardyth formed his own company, Blaise Associates, Inc., a professional and technical recruiting firm in Jefferson City. For health reasons, Ardyth retired on January 1, 2000.
After 48 years of marriage, Janet passed away in 2005. He then married her college roommate, Ethel (Schneider) Dougherty, in 2006, and moved back to Fayette. He often remarked, “That was the cheapest date I ever had. Two for the price of one.”
His wife, Ethel (Schnieder) Dougherty Blaise, grandparents, mother and father, and infant brother Arlin, brother-in-law Bill McKee, niece Leah McKee, and great-grandson Blaise Lea preceded him in death.
Ardyth is survived by his four sons, Brent (Julie) Pleasant Hill, MO; Kail (Laurie) Lee’s Summit, MO; Brock Jefferson City, MO; and Cary of Colorado Springs, CO. He and Janet had 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Ardyth had three stepchildren: David Dougherty, Mission, KS; Darin (Shelby) Dougherty, Fort Worth, TX; Kathy (David) Kauffman, Armstrong, MO; six step-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren. He also leaves his sister Arlene McKee, Sonora, CA, and one niece, along with three aunts and many cousins.
Ardyth served in many community organizations and the Chamber of Commerce during his working career. He worshiped the time spent with family, especially the grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, water skiing, golf, and card playing in his spare time. Ardyth was a long-time member of Faith Family Church in Fayette.
No services are scheduled at this time; however, condolences and memories may be left honoring Ardyth at www.carryager.com.
Carr-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve the Blaise family.
