JOHN WORK

JOHN WORK 07/07/1940 - 12/19/2025 John Keith Work was born near Tribbey, Okla., on July 7, 1940, and passed peacefully to Heaven on December 19, 2025, in Cheyenne, Okla. He was the son of Ervan (Mope) and Floydetta (Flitter) Work and the younger sibling of Nancy, who gave him the lifelong nickname "Jake." Because his father worked in pipeline construction, the family moved frequently during Jake's childhood and he attended several elementary schools, including one in Canada. He spent most of his high school years living with his grandmother in Wanette, Okla., where he graduated in 1958. He played baseball in high school and remained a lifelong fan of the sport, especially the Texas Rangers, whose games he attended whenever possible. Jake had a strong singing voice and, as a young man, sang at church and community events, often accompanied by his mother on the piano. He also enjoyed playing the guitar. Fishing was a favorite pastime throughout his life, particularly bass fishing at Lake Texoma with his best friend, Ray Morgan, and later with his children and grandchildren. Jake married Marian Ellen Fry in 1959. After several years following pipeline work, they lived in Tulsa, where their son, Jeffery, was born in 1962. In 1963, they moved to Dallas so Jake could return to school. Their daughter, Laura, was born in Irving, Texas, in 1968. Jake began working for Texas Instruments in 1965 and later transferred to Sherman, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree from East Texas State University in 1980 while working full-time, remaining active in church, and being a devoted father. At Texas Instruments, he began as a machinist. He later worked as a design engineer in the defense division, contributing to the development of the Shrike Missile system. After the division was sold, he continued working for TI in other departments until retiring at age 57. After retirement, Jake worked briefly as an adjunct professor at Grayson County College, a teacher for the Choctaw Nation, and at Hutchins Plumbing. He and Marian spent many years volunteering, including disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina, mission trips in the United States and abroad, and long-term service at Glorieta Conference Center in New Mexico. They also fulfilled their goal of visiting all 50 states and enjoyed extensive travel together. In 2014, John and Marian moved to Cheyenne to be near Laura and her family. Jake volunteered at Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, served as a mentor at school, and remained active in church. Jake accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1965, an experience that shaped the rest of his life. He served faithfully in church leadership for decades, including 25 years as a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church in Sherman and he later sang in the choir and taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Cheyenne. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." - 2: Timothy 4:7 Survivors include his wife, Marian; son, Jeffery and Jan Work, Houston, Texas; and daughter, Laura Hillman, Cheyenne. His five grandchildren are Joseph and Cidnye Work, Austin, Texas; Rachel and Ryan Christensen, Katy, Texas; Lia Hillman, Reydon, Okla.; Rebecca Work, New York City; and John (Jace) Hillman, Cheyenne. His two great-grandsons are James Christensen and Jackson Work. John is also survived by his sister, Nancy Payne, Tulsa, Okla.; one sister-in-law, June Cantrell, Duncan, Okla.; and one brother-in-law, James Fry and Lee, Greenwood, Ark.; his best friend for over 60 years, Ray Morgan, Dallas; and David Hillman, the father of his grandchildren, Lia and Jace, Reydon. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister-in-law, Martha Turner; his brothers-in-law, Stephen Turner, Jim Cantrell and Tom Payne; and his nieces, Kimberly Humphrey, Cinda Addison and Tammi Furgeson. If desired, memorials may be given to Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, Texas Baptist Disaster Relief or a charity of choice.