Joe R. “J.R.” Earls

Joe R. “J.R.” Earls, 97, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 11, 2017, in Lawton, at the Lawton-Fort Sill Veterans Center.

The funeral service will be held at the Altus City Cemetery Chapel on November 16, 2017, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Max Dowling, of Burkburnett, Texas, officiating. Burial will follow in Altus Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus.

J.R. was born in Decatur, Texas on December 24, 1919, to William Samuel Earls and Lula May Livermore Earls. He graduated from Altus High School in 1939. J.R. was a World War II veteran having served from 1942-46 in the U.S. Army Air Corps (U.S. Air Force), primarily in the Asiatic Pacific Theater with the 45th Fighter Squadron as an airplane maintenance technician and Crew Chief.

He married Doris Evelyn (Chandler) Earls on October 20, 1941, in Altus. J.R. and Doris both grew up in Altus and had known each other since childhood. They made their homes together in Hobart, Lawton, Marlow, and Duncan. They had been married for 73 years at the time of her passing in 2015.

J.R. retired from the Lawton Constitution newspaper after having worked there 38 years as an advertising composer. He was a member and previous pastor of Hope Community Church, Marlow, Oklahoma. He was also a previous pastor of Vimy Ridge Church in Rush Springs, Oklahoma.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling, fishing, golfing, working on a variety of building projects, and playing dominoes.

J.R. is survived by his son, Joe E. Earls and his wife, Gail (Morris) Earls of Midland, Georgia; daughter, Vicki (Earls) Ballard and her partner, Bill Holden of Duncan; grandson, Steven Earls and his wife, Raina Earls of Midland, Georgia; grandson, Evan Ballard of Norman; granddaughter, Brooke Ballard of Oklahoma City; great-grandchildren, Caleigh, Andrew, Charlotte, and Hannah Earls of Midland, Georgia (as well as another great-grandchild on the way); and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, as well as other extend family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Earls; his parents; brother, Fred Earls; sisters, Eva Earls, T. Lucille Earls, Catherine Earls Harris Martin and Naomi Earls Rooker.

Online condolences may be left at Lowell-Tims.com