Claris C. Grisham

Claris Clinton Grisham passed away peacefully on March 22, 2019 in Norman, OK.  Claris was born March 28, 1930 to Douglas and Stella Grisham in Chickasha, OK.  He was a graduate of Amber High School and attended Cameron State College.  In 1949, he married Jean Houk, his true partner in a lifetime of adventures.  Their children are Gary and Dorothy Grisham of Chickasha, OK, Debby and Cecil Brewer of Duncan, OK, Dena and Bill Keates of Oklahoma City, OK, and Beth and Tracy Cranton of Chickasha, OK.

Claris grew up working on a dairy farm near Amber, OK.  He was involved in church and Lions Club, proving to be a constant source of hilarity.  In 1960 he, Jean, and their four children moved close to Chickasha where he founded his business, Grisham Construction Company and was known for his hard work ethic.  He exampled to his children honesty, integrity, and kindness in his walk and how he treated others.

Claris found a unique joy in life and delighted in bringing others into that joy.  He could build anything with a motor, famously constructing a motorcycle out of a bicycle and a washing machine motor.  Combining his love of travel and his sense of adventure, he obtained his pilot's license flying all over the nation, from Florida to Alaska, with Jean.   He had a special place in his heart for animals and collected a small zoo for his children.  But his best friends were his dogs who played, worked, and sang with him, each one enriching his life.

His interests in life were widespread: good books, theology, gardening, hunting, camping, sports, bridge, and hats.  He was a member at First Baptist Church in Chickasha where he especially loved bible study.   It was in his nature to collect friends, helping people in need whether by volunteering in Hospice or by providing others with a place to live.   He was quiet in his advice to his children, and always available as a support.  He also loved a good argument and was a premier story teller, turning dinnertime into laughter.

Claris was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his mother, his father, and granddaughter, Michelle Fox.  He is survived by his four children, his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Linda Grisham, ten grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and many nieces and nephews, and Bingo.