Paul (J.R.) Edward Cronin, Jr., fifty, of Waurika, Oklahoma, went home to be with his Lord January 1, 2007, at Jefferson County Hospital in Waurika, Oklahoma. J.R. was born in Des Moines, Iowa, February 23, 1956, to Paul E. Cronin, Sr. and Jacqueline Estey Cronin. On May 24, 1986 J.R. married Fay Ragan in Waurika. They enjoyed twenty years of married life.

J.R., as everyone called him here in Waurika, was a truck driver and was employed at the time of his death by District 1 of Jefferson County. He was also a retired firefighter. J.R. was a member of the First Baptist Church in Waurika, Oklahoma. He was active with the Waurika Snake Hunt festivities where he was also the announcer.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #531 in Waurika and Home Masonic Lodge #370 in Des Moines, Iowa. J.R. worked several years with the Waurika Ambulance Service. He was a member of the Retired Firefighters Association.

Mr. Cronin is survived by: his wife Fay, of the home; his mother Jacqueline Estey Cronin; his son David LeRoy Cronin of Hastings,OK; three stepdaughters - Tracy M. Woods of Waurika, OK , Meletta Hines of Trenton, MO, and Meleah Lawrence of Trenton, MO; two sisters, Chris Roberts of Sugden, OK and Lori Garr of Lancaster, MO; and three grandchildren.

Memorial services for Mr. Cronin were at 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 4, 2007, at the First Baptist Church of Waurika, Oklahoma, with Rev. Billy Rhone officiating. Services were under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika. Memorial contributions may be made to Waurika Lodge #531 or the Waurika Fire Department.