John W. Fanton

Dr. John W. Fanton, 59, of Portland, Oregon, died Friday, March 23rd, at the Oregon Health and Science University. Private graveside services for the immediate family will be held at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown. To honor his longtime commitment to education, the Dr. John W. Fanton Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established. Memorials to this may be directed to the Key Bank of Oregon, 2095 NW 185th Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon, 97124-9963, Attn: Dr. John Fanton Memorial. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Dr. Fanton and his family. John Wesley Fanton was born on February 17th, 1948, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of G. Wendell and Martha G. (Wagoner) Fanton. He graduated from LDF High School, LeGrand, Iowa, in 1966. On June 7th, 1969, he was united in marriage with Darla Jean Dunham. He attended Marshalltown Community College and Iowa State University receiving his degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1973. He was in private practice in Minnesota from 1973 until enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1976. He attended Colorado State University receiving a Master of Science in Veterinary Surgery in 1982 and was Board Certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 1985. From 1976 through 1982, he was on the faculty of the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, San Antonio, Texas. Following his retirement as a USAF Lt. Colonel, he joined the faculty of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR where he remained until his death. Dr. Fanton is survived by his wife, Darla, his brother Dr. Robert (Bette) Fanton, sisters Betty (Merl) Niederhauser, Susan (Don) Dunham and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.