Former Martin restaurateur and Wayland Board of Education member Jack Fenton died Tuesday, Jan. 29. He was 87.
Born July 28, 1931 to Elwood and Clara Fenton in Wayland Township, he began his farming career at the age of 7 after the unexpected death of his father. In 1950, he graduated from Wayland High School. Shortly after Jack and his brother Eugene established Fenton Brothers’ Dairy Farm.
He married Patricia Wilcox (Lang) on Jan. 6, 1966, and over the years they built a family of six children: Tammy, Deborah, Mary, Susan, Jack, and Jeff. During this time, Jack sat on multiple boards focused on schooling and West Michigan dairy and agriculture.
In 1979, besides their farming business, Jack and Pat established Fenton’s Red Barn, serving the Martin community until 1996. They sold the farm and restaurant in 1996, to focus on each other and family by vacationing in Traverse City and Sun City, Fla.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Patricia Fenton, and children: Tammy (Russell) Quick, Deborah (Keith) Thayer, Mary (Jerry) Bronkhorst, Susan (Kevin) DeKoekkoek, Jack (Shauna) Fenton, Jeff (Amanda) Fenton; grandchildren Dustin (Jillian) Quick, Shelby (Sean) Peckham, Robert McKenzie, Anna and Clara Bronkhorst, Aren DeKoekkoek, Hunter, Pyper, and Avarie Fenton; great-grandchildren James and Olivia Peckham, many nieces and nephews and a special brother-in-law, James Sanford.
Jack was preceded in death by his two brothers, Charles and Eugene Fenton, sister Anne Fenton and grandson Thomas Fenton
Visit with his family and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home Marshall & Gren Chapel; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at the East Martin Christian Reformed Church; 1782 5th St.
Memorial donations can be made to the Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan.
