Oklahoma Family Tree Stories
This beautiful sculpture of three redbud trees is located just outside the Eleanor and John Kirkpatrick Research Center in the Oklahoma History Center. Each leaf of the Oklahoma Family Tree memorializes an Oklahoma family with the family surname, first name(s), and the town or county where they lived. In addition, a short family history is preserved in the digital family history book at the base of the tree. Sponsoring a leaf is a special way to recognize your family history and benefit future generations at the same time. To find out how to honor your own family with a leaf visit the Oklahoma Family Tree Project page.
Bond, Jay R. Family
Family Tree Leaf
Bond, Son - Jay R. Bond
Grady County
(Family information provided by donor)
Jay Rosser Bond was born on October 14, 1932, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. After his mother Norma Erdwurm Bond died, he was raised by his grandmother, Jeanette Bond, and his beloved stepmother, Jane Bond.
After graduating from high school in Chickasha, Jay enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a BA and LLB. He belonged to Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as chapter president in 1955.
Jay was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and served on active duty in Germany during the Cold War. He retired as a Colonel after twenty-nine years in the Army Reserve.
Jay’s interest in the Boy Scouts lasted for many years. He was an Eagle Scout and later served as Neighborhood Scout Commissioner and Explorer Advisor.
Jay practiced law in Oklahoma City for fifty-six years. He was a member of the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, Oklahoma City Oil and Gas Attorneys, and Oklahoma City Real Estate Lawyers. He served as vice president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association and belonged to the Oklahoma State and American Bar Associations. He served two terms on the Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma’s board of directors. During one of those terms, he served as president.
As a breeder of registered Angus cattle, Jay was active in the American Angus Association. He also served as interim secretary and treasurer of the Oklahoma Angus Association. In recognition of his service, the Oklahoma Angus Association gave him the title of Mr. Angus and admitted him to the Oklahoma Angus Hall of Fame.
Jay was married twice, first to Mary Ann Mathias, and later to Jo Frazer. He is the father of two daughters, Mary Catherine and Jayne-Anne, and grandfather of Connor and Katherine Bol, all of whom reside in Maryland. Lizbeth Frazer, who loved him until her death in 2012, and Richard Frazer chose him as their father. Through Jo’s family, he was blessed with a son-in-law, Curtis Fatig, grandchildren Christina, Rebekah and Diana, and great-grandchildren Olivia and Zoey.
As of 2016, Jay was retired from the legal profession and enjoying golf, his home, traveling with Jo, and seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at every opportunity.
