RAY KENNETH FAIRBANK

March 17, 1923 ~ September 21, 2010

Ray Kenneth Fairbank was born in Merced, California, March 17, 1923 to Walter Dean Fairbank and Hazel Bahr (Alexander) Fairbank and passed away on September 21, 2010. Ray graduated from Merced High School in 1941. He enlisted as a cadet in the Army Air Corps, and was working as a Junior Aircraft Mechanic at Merced Army Air Base when called to active duty in December 1942. Lt. Fairbank was stationed near Stowmarket England and served in the 549th Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force as a B-17 Bomber pilot during WWII. He held a CAA certificate as a commercial pilot of multi engine aircraft.

After World War II, Ray worked as a driver salesman and in construction. After having been a volunteer firefighter, he went to work full time for the Merced County Fire Department and retired in 1983 as captain. Ray was also an EMT and a certified scuba diver for the fire department.

Ray served as a board member of the Planada Community Services District as well as the Planada Elementary School District. He was a former member of the Planada Community Church, Twain Harte Evangelical Free Church and the First Baptist Church in Merced. Ray was a member of the Merced County Genealogical Society. After retiring, he and Juanella traveled throughout the United States gathering and documenting family history. Ray was an avid sportsman with interests including racing jalopies and motorcycles, scuba diving and archery. Ray's enjoyment of the outdoors was combined with his love of family in trips taken together hunting bear and deer, fishing, camping, boating, and water skiing.

Ray is survived by his wife of 67 years, Juanella (Herring) Fairbank of Fresno; son Richard Lee Fairbank of Fresno; four grandchildren Tiffany Titus of St Francis, Minnesota, Stephanie Spalding of Warrensburg, Missouri, Tamara Young of Sacramento, California and Robert Fairbank of Merced, California; and seven great grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and son Robert Eugene Fairbank.

Visitation will be Monday, September 27 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Evergreen Funeral Home, 1480 B Street, Merced. Services followed by a reception will be held Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church,500 Buena Vista Drive, Merced followed by a graveside ceremony at Merced Cemetery 1300 B Street, Merced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hinds Hospice of Fresno.