Bartley Fanning, Jr.

Bartley David Fanning, Jr. continued on his eternal journey Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from Medical Center Hospital. He was surrounded by his three daughters, sonsinlaw, and wife, Helen. Junior, as he was known, June by his five siblings, was born in Alvarado, Texas on April 11, 1926 to Bartley David and Artelia Griggs Fanning. He was the third of six children and attended school at Silverton, Texas.

He served in the United States Army Infantry and Air Corps during World War II. He earned a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during combat in Germany. His other decorations and citations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, European Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Star, three Overseas Service Bars, Victory Ribbon, Army Occupation Force, and Good Conduct Medal. He would never consider himself a hero, but he loved attending Memorial Day services at the CAF to honor the service of others. He will always be our hero.

He married Lila Jo Fanning, March 27, 1948 at the First Baptist Church in McCoy, Texas. They resided in Lubbock, Dumas, and Goldsmith. They had thirtyone happy years together. She preceded him in death on March 20, 1979. The family had many vacations with extended family at the Pine River Lodge in Vallecito, Colorado and other fishing holes. Junior dropped a hook as often as possible and always knew which rock or stump to stand on to get his line in front of the hungriest fish. He liked to attend cattle auctions and raised calves with his brotherinlaw, Martin Peterson. The Martin and Mava Peterson family and the Fannings enjoyed many adventures at the Peterson farm in Lovington, New Mexico.

Junior was employed by Hart and Haggard Feed Store and Panhandle Steel in Lubbock. He started working for El Paso Natural Gas Company in Dumas and transferred to the plant at Goldsmith in April 1958 where he continued working until his retirement in 1984.

He moved to Gardendale in 1979 after having lived in both the Old and New El Paso Camps at Goldsmith. He married Helen Rinker on November 26, 1983 and they were married 28 years until his passing. During his retirement years, he liked to work on his land and garden. He and Helen did gardening and ceramic work together. In 1997 they moved to Odessa and started raising Sheltie dogs. Junior and Helen continued to enjoy working in their flower beds together each year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bartley and Artelia of Plainview his wife, Lila Jo Smith Fanning his inlaws, James and Annie Mae Smith of May, Texas brothers, Lewis of Hereford and Charles of Muleshoe brothersinlaw, Martin Peterson of Lovington, New Mexico, Jimmy Smith of Pensacola, Florida and soninlaw, Kim Barnett of Krum, formerly of Odessa.

Those continuing to celebrate his life are wife, Helen Fanning of the home daughter Mava Smith and husband Mike of Odessa, daughter Kathy Barnett Simmons and husband Bobby of Anna, Texas, daughter Terri Pace and husband Glyn of Coupeville, Washington stepson Owen Lydic and wife Mary Beth of Albany, Ohio, and stepson Paul Lydic of Port Townsend, Washington. He was grandpa to Stephanie Jones and husband, Ray of Midland, Stacie Smith of Allen, Kris Barnett and wife Kelly of Easley, South Carolina, Melody Pace of Portland, Oregon, Kyla Barnett Kincaid and husband Zach of Wylie, Amy Pace of Austin, Kathy Pace OBrien and husband Spencer of Garland, Abraham Lydic of Bakersfield, California and Jahnna Lydic of Albany, Ohio. He was excited to be a great grandpa to Tyler Jones, currently of Peru, Cole and Skyler Jones of Midland, Jeremiah Pace and Abby Parker of Austin, Kenzie and Karsen Barnett of Easley, South Carolina, Brianna and Kimberly Kincaid of Wylie, Texas and Christian Lydic of Bakersfield, California. He is survived by three of his siblings, Loree Land, 92, of Greenwood, Mississippi, Ernest Fanning, 83, and wife Bonnita of Yuma, Arizona, and Bill Fanning, 79, and wife, Letta of Tuscon, Arizona as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of victory will be held in the Chapel of Sunset Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2011 with grandson, Dr. Kristopher Barnett officiating. Family and friends will be received from 78 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the many health care professionals of Medical Center Hospital who gave him loving care. After fifty hospital days we are unable to name each of you individually, but we thank God for the loving care and skill you provided to him and the emotional support you provided to each of us.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
78 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
10:30 AM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762