Jerrith Ryan Oakgrove

Sep 28, 20220

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Jerrith Ryan Oakgrove

November 27, 1990 - September 21, 2022

Jerrith Ryan Oakgrove, age 31 of Minneapolis, MN formally of Fairton, NJ passed into the spirit world unexpectedly on Tuesday September 21st, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN. He was an enrolled tribal member from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and was of Kingfisher clan, His Spirit Animal name is Waawaashkeshi which means Deer.

Jerrith was born at Fairview Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis to Jeanna (Oakgrove) Pierce and Jerome David Roy on November 27th, 1990. Jerrith was the light of his mother’s eyes. She always kept him occupied with Little League and Pee-Wee Football of which he excelled in. He played sport’s for Sibley Park in Minneapolis. When he played Baseball for Sibley he was their pitcher. He and his team battled it out in a double header and won the city championship.

Jerrith was raised by his mother and later with his Step-father Vernon Pierce. Jerrith also known as “Jerr-Jerr” attended grade school at Four Wind’s and Anishinabe Academy in Minneapolis before moving to Fairton, NJ in the spring of 2005 where he attended Fairfield Township School and Cumberland Regional High School. Wanting to experience new things, Jerrith traveled to Job Corp in Buffalo, New York where he lived and completed his high school education as well as their Brick Masonry program in 2008.

Being a shy young man, he stayed mostly at home. Being away from the city to being on the family farm took some adjusting. Jerrith was always an eager hands-on learner and loved to help his stepfather Mr. Vernon Pierce with his business Pierce Septic Service, Inc. Jerrith found it content being able to work with his step-father, Vernon Pierce. He liked working with his hand’s and learning to operate the farm and construction equipment. His favorite task was moving earth with the skid steer.

Having experienced freedom and living on his own Jerrith decided to return to Minneapolis to be closer to his family and his cousin Joshua Jay Oakgrove. Only born eight months apart those two were like brothers. When Josh passed away in 2014 Jerrith was absolutely heartbroken and a piece of him was lost without his best friend. He coped as best as anyone could but the pain was apparent. After losing his Uncle, Grandfather, Aunt, and Cousin it took a toll on Jerrith but he persevered. Jerrith loved having family dinners at his Papa’s house. Family meant everything to him and they all were a very close family.

Jerrith was a thoughtful kindhearted person who always was willing to help anyone. He loved his family and especially his mom. They were very close and were just with each other up until the day before his passing. Jerrith loved his rap music and his favorite rapper was Young Dolph. He loved to dress in his favorite Nike clothes and rock those Jordan’s. Jerrith was an animal lover and his favorite pet was his beloved cat, Tiger.

Jerrith is predeceased by his Maternal Great Grandmother Barbara (Lussier) and her husband Herb Brown as well as Maternal Great Grandfather Herman David English, Paternal Great Grandmother Hattie Smith, Paternal Grandmother Sophie Roy, His Maternal Grandfather who he called “Papa” Harlan (Butch) Oakgrove, Pop-Pop Alexander Pierce and his Paternal Grandfather Jerome Spears, Maternal Aunt Janelle Oakgrove, Maternal Uncle Robert McKee, Paternal Uncle Harlan Roy, Special Cousin Joshua Oakgrove.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother Jeanna (Oakgrove) Pierce and her husband Vernon (Lenni-Lanape Nanticoke Indians of New Jersey) of Fairfield Township, Father Jerome Roy of Minnesota, Grandmother Sandra (English) and her husband Norman McKee of North Branch, MN, Aunt Jillian Oakgrove of Red Lake, MN, Brother’s Jerome Oakgrove and his girlfriend Angela Leal of Harris, MN, Joseph Robert Pierce of Fairton, NJ, Sister Malarie Kegg (Dylan) of Fairton, NJ, Special sister Jocelyn

Oakgrove (Johnny) of McGregor, MN. Mom-Mom Janet Street of Bridgeton, Aunt Kelli and Uncle Alex Street of Millville, NJ, Paternal Uncle’s John, Virgil and Darren Roy as well as Paternal Aunt’s Elizabeth and Virginia Roy, Cousins Jacinda, Jerilyn and Jerald Oakgrove, Ashley Skinaway, Katelynn and Allysin Street, JR, Lisa, Michael, Christina, Tonya and Marie of MN.

The visitation for Jerrith will be held at Sray-Webster funeral home Saturday October 1st, 2022 beginning at 11 a.m.

Pall bearers are Vernon Pierce, Joseph Robert Pierce, Alex Street, Brian Craner, David Ridgway and Johnny Wadena.

Honorary Pallbearer’s are Sandra and Norman McKee, Carol English, Jerome Oakgrove, Ashley Skinaway, and Maureen Gruetzmacher.

Remarks under the direction of Urie Ridgeway and the Lenni-Lenape Nanticoke Indians of New Jersey beginning at noon. Following the remarks, we will travel to Fernwood Memorial Park in Hopewell Township on Route 49 for the interment. Graveside drum will be by the Red Blanket Singer’s. Thoughts and condolences can be made at sraywebsterfuneralhome.com

Upcoming Events

Visitation

OCT 1. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Sray Webster Funeral Home

62 Landis Ave

Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Service

OCT 1. 12:00 PM (ET)

Sray Webster Funeral Home

62 Landis Ave

Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Cemetery Details