Jake Pair

Jake Robert Pair, age 89, a day before his 90th birthday,  passed away on March 2, 2023, at Integris Grove Hospital.  Robert was born March 3, 1933, in Blanchard, Oklahoma.  He was the fourth son of seven born to William Alonzo Pair and Fannie Loice (Brooks) Pair.

As a young boy, his family moved to Groom, Texas in the western part of the state. He had a colorful life as a teenager with many odd jobs.  In 1953, Jake enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was accepted after the second attempt. The first attempt, he failed the weight requirement. The recruiter told Jake to go “eat a bunch of bananas” and come back.  He did as he was told, and the second attempt was successful.

During his Navy career, he met the love of his life after seeing her on a beach in California.  On July 21, 1960, he married P. Joyce “Joy” Black and from this union they had two children: Jeff W. Pair and Anita L. Pair.

After Jake’s retirement from the US Navy, they made their home in Tulsa, OK where he worked for Marlin’s Custom Cabinet Shop during which time he was building a home on the Black family land south of Grove – after completion of the home, the family moved.  Jake was a foreman during the Megan Coves Construction project and retired after working there for years.   He began working for Woody Crest Farms for Cy Elmburg and retired in 2016, after Joyce became ill.

Jake was very regimented in his activities and made it known how he wanted the leaves burnt and lawn mowed.  He was handy and was an excellent cabinet maker.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents William and Fannie Pair, his wife Joy Pair, his son Jeff Pair, his brothers; Alex Pair, Silas Pair, Jack Pair, Lester Pair and Bill Pair.  He is survived by his daughter Anita Johnson and her husband David, and his brother Eddie Pair.  He adored his grandchildren; Stacie Blevins and partner Grady, Jared Pair and partner Amy, Amanda McKee and partner Eric, Alyssa Guzman and husband Emanuel, special grandson Kenny McKee, and eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be held for family and friends from 3-5 PM, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, Oklahoma.