Rufus James Airington
Funeral services for Rufus James Airington, a Lehigh resident, will be Friday, August 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate with Pastor Larry Beach officiating. Burial will be in Lehigh Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate. Family night will be Thursday evening 6:00 to 8:00. Lunch will be served after service Friday at the Choctaw Community Center in Lehigh, OK
Mr. Airington was born October 18, 1956 to William Florence and Bessie Sever (Cochnauer) Airington at Durant, OK and passed away August 1, 2021 at the age of 64.
He met his wife, Janet Elaine Knight at Roland’s Bar in Lehigh, OK. They were married February 7, 1986 at Dayspring Church in Atoka and spent 39 wonderful years together.
James overcame a lot of adversity and grew to be an honest, humble and kind man. He loved the country, his chickens, cows, kids and grandkids and enjoyed working in the country on his farm doing what he loved. James loved having his nephews out at the shack where they all played Moon. You could always hear him saying, “What does the barber say? NEXT!!” His friends knew him as “Rooster.” His niece Bessie said, “He was the best uncle a girl could have.” James made a living for his
James made a living for his family working for Cummings Construction paving roads all over the state of Oklahoma. He was well known and loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Elaine (Knight) Airington of the home in Lehigh, OK; son, Joseph Airington of Tupelo, OK; daughter, Jenna Phipps and husband Kurt of Ardmore, OK; grandchildren, Gunner, Cody, Brody and Everly Airington, Knox and Jemma Phipps; brothers, Johnny Marion Airington of Coalgate and William Grady Airington and wife Virginia of Durant, OK; sisters, Berthy Genette Nichols and husband James of Lehigh, Effie Joy Bates and husband Massie D., Lillie Faye Roberts, all of Little Rock, AR, Vera Loretta Stevens and husband Bob, and Sue Ellen Watkins, all of Lehigh, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Florence and Bessie Sever (Cochnauer) Airington; sisters, Juanita Airington and Rosie Coulter; brothers, Billy Buck Airington and Veham Junior Airington; special niece, Jackie Cooksey; brothers-in-law, Gary “Hawkeye” Roberts, Melvin Coulter and Herb Watkins; and sister-in-law, Maudiene Airington.
Casketbearers will be Aaron Airington, Dalton Airington, Chad Airington, Jason Airington, Bo Roberts and Erik Lynn. Honorary bearers will be Danny English, Louis Yarbrough, Ralph Wilson, Keith Horn and Willie Airington.
Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.