SENATE RESOLUTION 43

(By Senators Maynard, Swope, Blair (Mr. President), Azinger, Barrett, Boley, Caputo, Chapman, Clements, Deeds, Grady, Hamilton, Hunt, Jeffries, Karnes, Maroney, Martin, Nelson, Oliverio, Phillips, Plymale, Queen, Roberts, Rucker, Smith, Stover, Stuart, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Trump, Weld, Woelfel, and Woodrum)

[Introduced February 16, 2024]

Memorializing the life of the Honorable John Patton Fanning, mortician, funeral director, banker, Mason, mayor, former member of the West Virginia Senate, statesman, and dedicated public servant.

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning was born August 14, 1934, in Iaeger, West Virginia, son of the late James P. and Gertrude (Neal) Fanning; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning attended Davis and Elkins College and Cincinnati College of Embalming; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a mortician and funeral director for the family business; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning operated the Iaeger branch of the Fanning Funeral Homes, where he touched the lives of so very many people grieving the loss of loved ones with compassion and tenderhearted support; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning proudly served as a director of Pioneer Community Bank for many years, where he served as chairman of the board from 2005 to 2018; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning was a 50-year Mason and Shriner; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning was appointed to the West Virginia Senate on September 9, 1968, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Glenn Hatcher; and

Whereas, Following his appointment to the Senate, the Honorable John Patton Fanning was elected to eight terms: 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008; and

Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning, during his incomparable tenure in the Senate, which has spanned six decades, held the following positions: Chairman, Committee on Finance, 61st, 62nd, 63rd and 64th Legislatures; Chairman, Committee on Transportation, 67th Legislature; Chairman, Committee on Labor, 74th and 75th Legislatures; Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, 76th, 77th, 78th, and 79th Legislatures; and Vice Chair, Committee on Pensions, 75th and 76th Legislatures; and

    Whereas, The Honorable John Patton Fanning decided not to seek reelection in 2012, bringing an end to a storied and distinguished career in public service; and

Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable John Patton Fanning passed away on January 7, 2024, leaving behind a grateful state and a host of family and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly; and

Whereas, It is fitting that the Senate pay tribute to the legacy of the Honorable John Patton Fanning for his many years of dedicated public service; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable John Patton Fanning, mortician, funeral director, banker, Mason, mayor, former member of the West Virginia Senate, statesman, and dedicated public servant; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its sympathies to the family of the Honorable John Patton Fanning on his passing; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable John Patton Fanning.