Claude Newton "Skip" Fannin Jr., 70, of Ashland, Ky., died Saturday, July 10, 2010, in Grand Strand Regional Hospital in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
He was born Sept. 20, 1939, in Ashland, a son of the late Claude Newton Fannin and Elizabeth A. Summers Fannin.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Fannin Campbell; a grandson, Gary Lee Gayheart II; and a nephew and niece, Ricky and Angie Reed.
He was vice president of Claude Fannin Co. and a U.S. Navy veteran. Skip attended Faith Independent Church and was very proud to be acknowledged as a 32nd-degree Mason. He was initiated in the Masons on March 8, 1965, and passed April 19, 1965. On May 22, 1965, he was raised to Master Mason and spent many years enjoying the fellowship and civic duties of the Masonic Lodge. Skip was also a member of the Shriners, co-founder and president of the Archive A's Auto Club and a professional photographer. In 1980, Skip became an evangelist and in 1989 became an ordained minister. He was known throughout the community as Gods Cowboy. He was a chaplain at KDMC, a member of the Ashland Lions Club, a Kentucky colonel, a member of the Whirl Aways Square Dance Club and recognized in 1981 as the Ashland Morning Kiwanis Father of the Year.
Surviving are his loving wife of 52 years, Judith Patrick Fannin of Ashland; an adopted son, Michael Briley; daughters Kimberly L. Fannin of Rush, Ky., and Elizabeth Fannin Bryant and husband Gerald R. Bryant II of Ashland; sisters Priscilla Fannin of Ashland and Verna Moore of Lexington; sister-in-law Linda Phillips and husband Willis; brother-in-law Mike Patrick; grandchildren Scott Newton Stutler, Johnathon Claude R. Bryant, Joseph P. Ryan Bryant, Frederick Briley, Tennessee Hale and Timoria Hale; very special family friends Rita Chinn, Joann and Marie Lester and Dwayne Easterling; nieces Tammy Fee, Stephanie Moore, Claudine Moore and Amber Patrick; nephews Greg Campbell, David Campbell, Ben Moore, Matt Cathell, Seth Cathell and Greg Patrick; and a host of loving family members and friends.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 15, 2010, at Ashland Cemetery Mausoleum by the Rev. Frank Wallace and Eileen Easterling, minister. Entombment will be in Ashland Cemetery Mausoleum.
Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today, July 14, 2010, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland and after 10 a.m. Thursday at the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Bryant, John Bryant, Freddy Briley, Aaron Keeton and CJ Ball. Honorary pallbearers will be Willis Phillips, James Bartley, Ron Conley, Paul White, Roy Rice Jr., Mike Patrick, Marvin Little and Otto Packer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, 1221-A Ohio Ave., P.O. Box 1115, Dunbar, WV 25064.
Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.
