John C. Fatherree Jr.

July 16, 1924 - January 11, 2017

John C. Fatherree Jr., age 92, of Grove passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at his home after a battle with cancer. John was born on July 16, 1924 to John, Sr and Margaret (McDaniel) Fatherree in Hot Springs, AR, where he grew up and attended school until the age of 17, when he joined the U.S. Navy under an assumed age. He proudly served his country for 4 years. On May 6, 1967 John married Charlene Chailler in Las Vegas, NV and the couple made their home in South Gate, CA, where he was employed at Firestone Tire Manufacturing until retiring in 1973. Never one to sit idle, John followed his passion for building and began a second career as a Contractor building homes, which he did until moving to Grove, OK in 1987. John was full of life and could tell fascinating stories of all the things he’d done in his 92 years. In his younger years, John was a risk-taker and led a colorful life as a Dealer in a casino in Reno and could play Poker with the best of them. John loved the outdoors and spending time on, or tinkering with his tractor, was how he preferred to spend his free time. An outgoing man with a dry humor, John never met a stranger. John is preceded in death by his parents and four brothers (two in infancy). Left to carry on John’s legacy: wife, Charlene Fatherree of the home; daughters, Karen Raven and husband, William of Jackson, GA, Vicki Cook and husband Al of Jackson, GA, Carrie Connor and husband, Winston of Grove, OK, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 11am Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Nichols Funeral Chapel. Burial at Olympus Cemetery North.