John R. (J R) Sellers

John R. ( J.R.) Sellers, 80, a lifelong resident of Cherokee County, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. He was born on January 29, 1945, in Welling, OK., to the late Percy M. “Red” Sellers and Mary (Groundhog) Sellers.

Funeral Service will be 10 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Elm Tree Baptist Church, burial to follow at Shirley Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Hart Funeral Home from 5 PM until 7 PM.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Jerry Sellers, Andy Sellers, and Percy Sellers, and a sister, Mary Jo Hare.

Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years Pamela (Brown) Sellers, special nieces; Heather (Tyler) Sharp, Tiffany (Vince) Pepe, nephew; Doug (Cathy) Sellers, grandnephew; Tristan Pepe, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and a community of friends.

J. R. was a 1962 graduate of Tahlequah High School and went on to graduate from N.S.U. with a B.S. Degree in Education in 1966, where he also was a 2 time All American Baseball Player. He was a Coach, Teacher, and Administrator for 31 years; 10 years at Tenkiller School and the last 21 years of his career was spent at Dahlonegah School, Coaching Football, Basketball, and Softball. In 1965 and 1966 he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Then, in 1987, he was inducted in the N.S.U. Athletic Hall of Fame, and, in 1996, he was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Indian Fast Pitch Softball Association Hall of Fame. He was drafted by 2 Major League teams: the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Athletics. He proudly served in The United States Army from 1969-1975.

He was President of the Tri-Community (W.E.B.) Association representing Welling, Eldon, and Briggs Communities. He, along with Pamela, built, owned and operated a convenience store for 5 years and a Grade A Dairy for 7 years. Currently, he and Pamela own and operate a 300-acre Angus cow/calf operation, and J.R.’s Country Auction for the past 45 years. He was a proud Manager of J.R.’s Country Gospel Singers and Band.