Richard "Dick" Fenton

Richard “Dick” Fenton, 75, of North Vernon, passed away on August 17, 2017 at his home from a brain tumor.

Dick was born in Lock Haven, PA on July 6, 1942, the only child of Barrett & Hazel Faye (Heineman) Fenton.  He graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1960, attended Lock Haven University, graduating in 1964.  He made many great friends in those years and even with miles separating them, has kept the friendships over the years, returning to attend reunions every 5 years.

Dick taught middle school in New Jersey for two years before starting to work for IBM in New York City.  After a long and fulfilling career, Dick retired from IBM in 1998 after 33 years, having worked in New York City; Princeton, NJ; Los Angeles; Hartford, CT; and Costa Mesa, CA.

Dick lived most of his adult life in Costa Mesa, where he was raising his two children, Jeniene and Barry, when he met, then married Sue and her daughter, Traci.  In August, 1980 they married and raised the children together.  When the kids were grown and it was time to retire, Dick and Sue left Southern California, moved into their RV and criss-crossed the country for four years, visiting all of the 48 states, plus Hawaii, before landing in North Vernon, IN in 2002.

Dick’s favorite things to do were reading, traveling anywhere Sue pointed him, camping, poker with the guys, college & pro sports, the many concerts/plays/musicals they attended, the frequent visits with his six beloved grandkids and the many visits to and from family and friends.  He lived a good and full life.

Both of Dick’s parents, Barry and Hazel, formerly of North Vernon, before that California, preceded him in death.  His father-in-law, Jim Callaghan of Salem, OR also precedes him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, his children Jeniene (Jeff) Cenoz of Grover Beach, CA; Barry (Heather) Fenton of Los Osos, CA; Traci Wahlman (Werner) Ickx of North Vernon, IN; and his grandchildren, Alex Cenoz of Portland, OR, Austin Wahlman of North Vernon, IN, Atticus and Oscar Fenton of Los Osos, CA, Abigail and Madison Ickx of North Vernon, IN; his mother-in-law, Shirley Callaghan, who thinks of Dick as another son and has lived with them for 12 years; his many, many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who loved Dick like a brother; and nieces and nephews who all love him like a favorite uncle.

Our entire family would like to express our loving thanks to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana for the loving care given to Dick and Sue during this sad time.  Memorial contributions can be made to Our Hospice or to Jennings County Animal Shelter for the wonderful work they do and for Dick’s life-long love of his pets.

A private family service will be held at a later date on a warm sunny beach, with an open PBR, our favorite music and waves in the background.  Arrangements have been entrusted with Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Services.

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