TROY - Chester Newton Fannin Jr. of Troy departed this life on September 8, 2023, just days before his 98th birthday.

He was born September 26th, 1925, in Barboursville, WV, the son of Chester Newton Fannin Sr. and Verna Louise Hamlin.

He is survived by his two sons, Roger Fannin and companion Joan Hall, of Camarillo, CA; Michael Fannin and his wife Wendy of Middletown Springs, VT; three grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

From an early age, Chester was interested in aviation. During the second world war he piloted the B25 light bomber. He kept a private license after the war. Following discharge he resumed his studies at Marshall University, graduating with a degree in education, and soon thereafter married Patricia Ann Booth, also of Barboursville, with whom he had his two sons.

The family moved to Troy in 1952 where Chester was employed by BF Goodrich as a draftsman for many years. Later, after earning a degree in engineering from the University of Dayton, he was employed by the Dayton Walther Corporation as their chief engineer in research and development. After retirement he taught calculus for a while at Edison College.

In 1958 he married Mary Lou Adkins of Huntington, WV, who was well known in the local community for her thousands of hours of volunteer work at Dettmer Hospital. She predeceased him in 2015.

Chester was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and brought up his family in that institution. He was an honest, clean living, hardworking, church going family man which turned out to be the formula that likely led to his great longevity. He was an avid golfer when younger, and later in life enjoyed socializing with the daily crowd at K's.

His love for mathematical precision followed him throughout his life and manifested itself in many ways. He designed and built his own home, drafting the drawings to the smallest detail. He was an excellent cabinet maker. In his seventies he became fascinated with the demands of quilt making and achieved great success in this new hobby. His creations are now dispersed among his descendants where they will continue to be a comfortable reminder of him.

"Chet" was one of the last remaining WWII veterans living in Troy. Though diminished by age he was often noticed wearing his veteran's hat on the streets of Troy where the locals showed him many acts of consideration and kindness deferential to his service. These were gestures for which he was profoundly grateful and speak to the character of those who noticed the old veteran and helped him along his way.

Chester Fannin lived a long life and enjoyed good health, mobility and independence right up to the end which came quickly. He will be interred among his ancestors at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Huntington, WV. Our family will be respecting his instructions and rather than have a public memorial service will be celebrating his memory privately.