Michael D. Lair

Michael D. Lair, 75, of Lubbock, Texas passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2026 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was born in Norman, OK to Doyal and Betty Lair and spent his childhood in Tulsa, OK and Littleton, CO as the oldest of 4 siblings. In high school he performed regionally with his band The Grenadines as the guitar player. After graduating from Arapahoe High School in 1970 he attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO before returning to Oklahoma where he met and married his wife, Margaret.

Their adventures took them to southern New Mexico where Michael worked in banking as a loan officer and vice president for several years. After moving to Lubbock he held many roles, including involvement in day to day management operations with Smith Enterprises, before retiring from AT&T in 2016.

His greatest passions in life, besides family and music, were hunting and fishing. He was an avid sportsman, a champion member of the New Mexico Bassmaster team, taught two generations to hunt and fish, and fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2018 when he and his son travelled to Africa for safari.

He was a talented craftsman who liked to tell the joke that he did “so much with so little for so long that he can do anything with nothing.” This kind and funny spirit was present in all he did and he loved gathering with family and friends to recount tales from his life and adventures, play music and teach his grandchildren poker games.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Doyal and Betty; his sister Karen Lair Stigleman; and brother J. Russell Lair. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret Smith Lair; his daughter, Genevieve Lair of Lubbock, TX; his son, Austin Lair (Jenna) of Kerrville, TX; his brother Mark Lair (Julie) of Kansas City, KS; beloved grandchildren Philip, Colten, Brooklyn and August; and dog Roxy.

Michael will be cremated with Combest Family Funeral Home, and no formal services will be held in accordance with his wishes. His family invites all who knew him to celebrate his life by sharing this memorial and by sharing your favorite memories with them directly.                                                                                          

Go rest high on that mountain, Grampy.