Thomas Fancher

1938 - 2016

A memorial service for Thomas Fancher, 77, will be held on Friday, March 18, at First Presbyterian Church in Belen, N.M., beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the family receiving friends following the service.
Thomas Fancher, age 77, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at his home after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was born Dec. 24, 1938 in Gray, to Minnie and Jesse Fancher. Tom was inducted to the Army on Dec. 4, 1961 and spent his tour of duty in Germany. Following his discharge, he farmed with his father in Iowa until 1985 when the family moved to Belen, N.M. He held various jobs in the Belen and Albuquerque area until he retired, but his love of the farm remained in his heart. He took up the hobby of wood crafting and became quite adept with his scroll saw. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for his whole life, confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, and currently a member of First Presbyterian in Belen, N.M. Tom sang in the choir, was an ordained elder and served as chairperson or member of the Property Committee for 30 years.
Tom loved God, his family and his friends. He was one of the first people to lend a helping hand, even when no one asked. He was there to listen when needed and occasionally tell an inappropriate joke when needed. He didn't really talk about his faith, but anyone that was paying attention could see his faith in action.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Fancher; grandparents, Ora and Minnie Fancher and Chris and Anna Zaiger; father and mother-in-law, Otto and Mildred Rattenborg; sister-in-law, Beverly Schaeuble; brother-in-law, Joe Schaeuble, Ray Schaeuble, Robert Rattenborg and David Wolf.
Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jean; son, Duane (Jenny) Fancher of Oregon City, Ore.; daughter, Denise (Pete) Johnson of Edgewood, N.M.; granddaughters, Desiree Baca of Belen, N.M. and Kelsey Johnson of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandson, Cameron Fancher of Oregon City, Ore.; mother, Minnie Fancher of Brookings, Ore.; brothers, Bill Fancher of Audubon, and Roy (Donna) Fancher of Macon, Mo.; sister, Deanna (Loren) Griffith of Brookings, Ore.; sister-in-law, Delores Schaeuble of Sioux City, Alberta West of Belen, N.Mm, Wanda Wolf of Atlantic, and Vita Rattenborg of Audubon; and numerous nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones.
The family requests no flowers. The family will donate monetary gifts to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research in Houston, Texas, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., (505)864-4448, where an online guest register is available at www.noblinfuneralservice.com.