Clement "Buster" Lair

Clement F. “Buster” Lair, a long-time Nowata County resident, passed away June 18, 2022, at the age of 97, with his family by his side.

Buster was born October 24, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kansas, the son of Freeman William and Anna (Goertzen) Lair. He grew up in Coffeyville where he attended local schools. He was a member of the high school track team setting a record for the fastest high school team in 1943. Buster was the anchorman on the medley relay team coached by Andy McClure.

Buster joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. He served in WWII with the 4th Marine Division in the Marshall Islands and the Japanese islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa with the 5th Amphibious Corp.

After World War II, Buster joined the USMC Reserves and returned home to Coffeyville where he attended Coffeyville College and joined the college track team. The team won the college state championship for 1/2 mile and were state runner ups for two years in a row.

He began working at Dixon Industries and also at the Midland Theater where he met his future wife Wilma Keith and were married in 1949.
Buster was called up to Korea in 1950 and served 13 months with a rank of corporal. He survived multiple engagements including the most famous at Chosin Reservoir.

When he returned from active duty they made their home in Lenapah and he was employed by Farmland Industries where he retired after 43 years. He raised Angus beef cattle on their farm.
He will be missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Janice and son William. He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Maxine Franks, Betty Battaglear, and Charlie Lair along with his wife Wilma.

Funeral services for Clement “Buster” Lair will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lenapah Baptist Church with Pastor Wendell Abbott officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery. A family visitation is planned for Thursday, June 23 from 5-7 pm at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Midland Theater Foundation at P.O. Box 545 Coffeyville, KS 67337 or Coffeyville Friends of Animals at P.O. Box 1654 Coffeyville, KS 67337. Online condolences may be left at the Benjamin website at www.honoringmemories.com.