Fanton, Wallace Dean

Wallace Dean Fanton, 80, of Vacaville, Calif. and formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died May 18, 2012 at Northbay Hospital, Fairfield, Calif. Bryan-Braker Funeral Home, Fairfield, Calif. was in charge of arrangements.

A celebration of life will be held for family and friends in July.

Wally is survived by his children, David Fanton, Monte Fanton, and Tracy Cox; granddaughters, Fatima Arvizo, Trina Mahle, and Tanya Fanton; great-grandchildren, Ernie Jr, Kris, and Elicia Arvizo, Lauren Mahle; and twin great-great granddaughters Sophia and Victoria Arvizo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Arlene Fanton; his daughter, Vicki; grandson, Michael Lopez; and brother, Gaylord Fanton.

Born April 4, 1932 in Gillman, Iowa, Wally attended college and served in the U.S. Air Force as a gunner on a B-17 Bomber in Korea.

He lived and worked in Sacramento, Calif. for 20 years as a general contractor, then returned to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he continued to work. He retired to Arizona and returned to northern California for the last six months of his life, where he was able to reunite with family and friends and see his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and newborn twin great-great-granddaughters.

During Wally's 60 years of work he owned a restaurant, was a property manager, a business owner, a hotel worker, a chauffeur, and always enjoyed being his own boss. His hobbies were playing guitar, shopping for a bargain, traveling, and meeting new friends as he enjoyed his many adventures. One of his first adventures was hitchhiking from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Los Angeles, California at the age of 16 without his parents' knowledge or consent.

Wally's memorial request is to enjoy the life you have been blessed with.

Published June 12, 2012 in The Gazette