Jerrith Ryan Oakgrove Obituary

Jerrith Ryan Oakgrove, age 31 of Minneapolis, MN formally of Fairton, NJ passed into the spirit world, 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 given Indian name is Waawaashkeshi, which is Ojibwa for Deer. Jerrith's Spirit Animal.

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 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 "JerrJerr" 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 hands 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 was 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 Brothers 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 Brdgeton, 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, Ashely Skinaway, Katelynn and Allysin Street, Jr., Lisa, Michael, Christina, Tonya, and Marie of MN.

A viewing will be held on Saturday October 1, 2022 from 11:00 till 12:00pm at the funeral home with services immediately following. Remarks under the direction of Urie Ridgeway and the Nanticoke Lenni -Lenape Indians of New Jersey. Jerrith will be laid to rest in Fernwood Memorial Park, Hopewell Twp. with graveside drumming by the Red Blanket Singers.

Family and friends serving as pallbearers are Vernon Pierce, Joseph Robert Pierce, Alex Street, Brian Craner, David Ridgway and Johnny Wadena. Honorary pallbearers are Sandra and Norman McKee, Carol English, Jerome Oakgrove, Ashley Skinaway, and Maureen Gruetzmacher.