A Beloved Child of God | Holy Apostles Orthodox Christian Church

“Our mission is to share Orthodox Christianity throughout Cheyenne and southeastern Wyoming. We do this by actively sharing the teachings of our faith, positively impacting the community through our charitable work, and enhancing the spiritual growth of our members.”

Worship - Charity - Community

May His Memory Be Eternal!

A Beloved Child of God

- Fr. R. Joseph Collins -

Riley James Fair entered heaven on August 30,2023 from Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born May 2, 2015 in New Braunfels, Texas to parents Jaclyn and Joshua Fair. He was a robust highly intelligent, eight-year-old boy, who loved everyone. He aspired to be a fire fighter helicopter pilot. Being very competitive, he challenged everyone to his favorite board games and sports. This summer was spent swimming, riding bicycles, building Legos and making new friends; his big sister and best friend Lyla was always at his side. He embodied "joy de vivre" and we look forward to seeing him again.

He is survived by his parents, Jaclyn and Joshua Fair, his sister, Lyla K. Fair; Great-grandparents Mary Kaiserman and Maggie and Dennis Skalka, Betty and Stuart Seybert, Grandparents Dawn and Michael Claybourn, David F. Fair, Dr. Richard Palmer; uncles Emeric Masters, Kristofer Palmer and partner Charles Nielsen; Aunt Rachel and Jacob Valdez; cousins Kaydence Windsor, Declan Valdez and Emeric Masters, II.

A Memorial Service will be held at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on September 3, 2023 at 12 pm. There will be a funeral at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, San Antonio, Texas on September 7, 2023.

Fr. Joseph and Presvytera Melanie are natives of Wisconsin. They were married in 2005. They have three children, two boys and one girl. In 2007 they moved to Boston, MA to attend Hellenic College and Holy Cross. After completing his bachelors, and earning his masters degree, they moved to New York and served at Saint Basil Academy. While at Saint Basil Academy Fr. Joseph was ordained to the deaconate by His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane on March 25th, 2015. Father served the Church of Our Savior in Rye, NY, among other places, until his ordination to the priesthood on May, 15th 2016. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Demetrios, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, NY. Father Joseph was assigned to Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie, NY where he served until March of 2020, when reassigned to Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Cheyenne, WY. Father and his family love the church, church music, the outdoors, being together, and the adventure that life is. They are grateful for the Lord's care and providence in their lives, and all the people that have blessed them along the way.