Jack Gritts received his reward, and departed this life on October 23, 2009. He was known by most people as J.W. or simply as "Jay." He was the son of Stephen "Pete” and Bessie (Sipes) Gritts. Jay was born November 25th, 1923, in Cherokee County Oklahoma. He had been a life long Cherokee County Resident.

He began his education at Sequoyah Training School in 1932 at the age of nine. He left school in 1942 with the beginning of WW II. He worked briefly in Public Works Construction. In June of 1945 he began working at W.W. Hastings Hospital and retired from Civil Service in 1973 after 28 years of Service.

Being raised and living in Cherokee County, Jay enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening, and traveling to see family.

Over the years Jay, his brothers, cousins, and friends spent countless weekends under the stars racing their July Wolf Hounds. Jay was married on February 14, 1950, to Emma C. Catron in Wagoner, OK. They remained together until Emma passed away in April 1997. Jay and Emma raised their daughter Dorothy in the Tahlequah Area.

One of Jay’s defining features was his great capacity to love. His love touched everyone he came in contact with, and that love changed lives.

The only thing Jay loved more than his wife Emma, family, or neighbors, was God. Jay found it a great privilege to serve the Lord, by being a charter member of Calvary Assembly of God in Tahlequah. He served the church in several ways including: being on the Board of Deacons for 10 years, and cooking at the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast for several years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Emma in 1997, two brothers Gene Gritts in 2000, and Arlie Lee Gritts in 2002.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are sisters Bonnie Arnold of Oklahoma City, four granddaughters, nine great grandchildren, 18 great great grand children, many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Calvary Assembly of God on Thursday, October 29, 2009, at 2:00 PM, with graveside services to follow at the Double Springs Cemetery under the care of Green Country Funeral Home. Jay will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Emma, his brothers, and father. Jay will live on in the memories of all who were blessed enough to know him.

Online condolences may be left at tahlequhfuneral.com