John Walter Fearnside

John Walter Fearnside was born on February 7, 1942 in Harrison, Arkansas to Walter Floyd Fearnside and Treva Florence (Roberts) Fearnside. He passed away August 12, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma.

At age four, John contracted polio which affected his left leg. Due to this, he attended the RJ Delano School for Handicapped Children in Kansas City for a few elementary school years. He always had stories about his time there because he was one of the least handicapped, and was soon sent back to regular public schools. John graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1960. 

John and Patricia met at Linden Baptist Church and began dating during Patricia’s junior year of high school. They married April 4, 1964 and celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. John began working for Phillips Petroleum in 1966 and was transferred to Bartlesville, OK in 1970. John continued working for Phillips for thirty-seven years until retiring in 2003. After retiring, John and Pat moved to Norman, OK to be close to their daughters, Amy and Emily, and their families.

John loved Jesus and loved going door to door witnessing for the Lord with his pastor, Ed Sasnett. He had a beautiful voice and loved singing in the choirs at church. He also loved serving. He was a deacon for many years and served in many capacities, song director, softball team coach, audio/visual room, helping in children’s church, sound and lighting booth, bus ministry and many more. He sang in the Bartlesville Choral Society when his work schedule allowed, and in his spare time he loved working with wood. In his later years, he spent many hours working jigsaw puzzles and visiting with neighbors in their apartment community.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia New Fearnside of the home, daughter Amy Touchstone and husband Clifton of Norman, OK, daughter Emily Bradley and husband Chris of Norman, OK; six grandchildren, Grace Touchstone Secrest and husband Taylor of Midwest City, OK, Cade Touchstone of Moore, OK, Luke Touchstone and wife Celeste of Haviland, KS, Maren Touchstone, Dorothy Bradley, and Benjamin Bradley all of Norman, OK; two sisters, Jeanne Smith of Dallas, TX and Michelle Kelso and husband David of Excelsior Springs, MO.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:30am at Northeast Baptist Church at 905 E Rock Creek Rd, Norman, OK 73071. Services are under the direction of Tribute Memorial Care, and condolences may be shared at www.tribute.care.