John Wilfred Fair

Graveside services for John W. Fair, 86, of Portales will be held at 2:00 PM, Fri., Nov. 27, 2020 in the Floyd Cemetery with Rev. Cheston Fair and Pat Boone officiating.  Scotty Fair, Will Fair, Blake Fair, Ben Pritchett, John Pritchett, Tyke Fair, Walter Lucas, Charles Boyles and Ryan Boyles will serve as pallbearers.  All of his other grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

John Wilfred Fair was born Nov. 16, 1934, in Oberlin, KS to the home of Viola Luella (Meyers) and Fred Ivan Fair, and died at his home in Portales early on the morning of Nov. 25, 2020.  Shortly after his father died, he moved with his family to Clovis where he grew up.  He graduated from Clovis High School in 1952.  On Feb. 5, 1955, in Texico, he was married to Shirlene Hillis.  The couple had four children together.  That same year, he entered the US Navy, and served until 1959.  Following his discharge, he returned to Clovis, and worked as a Linotype operator for the Clovis News Journal.  In 1964, he moved to Portales, and began working for Bishop Printing.  In 1973, he went to Oklahoma to attend Farrier School.  John owned and operated John Fair Horseshoeing from 1973 until 2004 when he retired.  He had belonged to the American Farriers Association for 49 years, and held membership card #53.

On Nov. 16, 1979, he was married to Grace Lynette Rowland.  They had been married a little more than 41 years at the time of his death.  John loved to read, especially history books.  In addition, he wrote cowboy poetry.  For several years he was involved with Little Wranglers Rodeo, and acted as a team coach.  John was also a member of the Roosevelt County Mounted Patrol.  He also enjoyed going fishing, but his greatest joy was in his family, and loved to play with his grandchildren

He is survived by his wife, Grace Fair of their home; five sons and a daughter-in-law, Andy and Tracy Fair of Portales, Fred Fair of Fritch, TX, Jayven McNeal, Jasiah McNeal and Jeremiah McNeal all of the home; four daughters, Brenda Lucas and her companion, David Hall of Clovis, Roxie and Joe Gilmore of Elida, LaFonda Boyles and Helen Shawn McNeal of Portales; 22 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; a brother, Don Fair of Grapevine, TX and two sisters, Lou Danner of Cody, WY and Ann Williams of Portland, OR.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Freddie Deaton and by 4 grandchildren.

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