Clair K. Bellows

Clair K. Bellows, 90, died peacefully at his home on Monday, May 1, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband to Donna (nee Radford) to whom he was married for 32 years. A true family patriarch and loving father of Daniel E. (Connie) Bellows, stepsons Craig (Marilee) Campbell and Kevin (Cathy) Campbell. Clair’s two sisters, Jeanine Seigneur and Jocelyn Einig, predeceased him. Clair had six grandchildren, Christine, Mitchell, Mason, Natalie, Alicia, Colleen, and three great-grandchildren. Clair was born September 10, 1932, in Rock Island, IL. In 1932 he moved with his parents Melvin and Corinne Bellows and his sisters to St. Louis. A graduate of Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School in 1950, he enrolled at The University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. Clair joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity in 1951, which led to a lifelong association with the order. In 1998, he was inducted into the Fraternity’s Hall of Honor, which recognizes members who have excelled in their careers or in service to the community. On that occasion, Clair noted, “It’s difficult to express what Kappa Sigma means to me. I was 17 when I walked into the Beta-Gamma house. The next four years changed my life forever.” Clair received his Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1954. While attending the University he served in the U.S Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program. He was subsequently named a Commissioned Officer. After graduating from MU, Clair became an active-duty officer in the U.S. Air Force. After pilot training, he earned his wings in 1955 and during Clair’s three-year Air Force career, he flew the B-36 Bomber. After his military service, Clair returned to St. Louis and began a long and successful career in the Public Relations and Advertising business. He served as Director of Public Relations for Bank Building Corporation, Director of Sales for KWK Radio, Director of Sales for KDNL-TV 30, partner of Donnelly Advertising, and ended with his own business, Radford Marketing. In 2019, Clair was selected to participate in the Honor Flight program, which recognizes the distinguished service of U.S. military veterans. He traveled to Washington, D.C. accompanied by his son Dan. Passionate about music, Clair was a lifelong lover of Jazz. His vast music collection included music by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, and Frank Sinatra. Clair’s other interests included golf and racquetball, which he played twice weekly well into his eighties. His love of Mizzou football and basketball and his disdain for KU was unending. Clair kept his talents intact to the very end as he entertained his nurses and caregivers. He will truly be missed by all. Compassionately dedicated to his church, he served as a member of the Deacons, Trustees, Elders, and Session of Webster Groves Presbyterian Church at 45 W Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. Visitation will be on May 19, 2023, from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm at the church. A Celebration of Life service will be from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. A military honors service will be held at 2:30 pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Guest are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to Webster Groves Presbyterian Church or the Missouri School of Journalism at 120 Neff Hall, Columbia, MO 65201.

Clair K. Bellows

September 10, 1932 - May 1, 2023