ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Thomas “Tom” Fanning, 62, passed away peacefully on Jan. 22, 2020 in his Albuquerque, N.M., home.
Tom was born on June 18, 1957, in Torrington to parents Thomas and Violet Fanning (Rinehart), they have both preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Barbara Fanning of Albuquerque.
He is survived by his daughter, Heather Kieferand husband Henry of Pueblo, Colo.; their children, Angela Madrid, James Kiefer, Korinne Kiefer and Ashtian Kiefer. Daughter, Holly Fanning of Pueblo and her children, Marissa Reeves, Kyrah Fanning and Lazerus Fanning. Stepdaughter, Samantha Madrid and husband Tommy Jr. of Los Lunas, N.M., their children Mariah Madrid and Tommy Madrid III.
He was one of two children. He is survived by his sister Tammy Scholl and her husband Joe of Verango, Neb., nephews, Dennis Scholl and partner Tonya of Cheyenne, Justin Scholl and partner Sara of Cheyenne and Clayton Scholl and wife Stacy of Laramie; his uncles – Jim Fanning and wife Bonny of Windsor, Colo., Kenneth Rinehart of Torrington, Lee Pugsley of Torrington, George Rinehart and Elmer Rinehart; and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Elizabeth Fanning and his uncle Joe Fanning.
He attended Eastern Wyoming College from 1983 to 1985. From 1985 until his retirement in 2018 he worked in the insurance business as a claims adjuster and claims manager. As a teenager, he worked at a creamery in Torrington.
Tom loved to travel and together with his wife Barbara, traveled to Boston to see a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. They traveled to Spain in 2007, and to Granada, Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla, to name a few. In 2005, Grandpa Tom, Grandma Barbara, and Mariah went to Disneyland. In 2010, Grandpa Tom, Grandma Barbara, Mariah and Tommy III went to Disneyland and Legoland. In 2017, Grandpa Tom, Grandma Barbara, Samantha, Tommy, Mariah, and Tommy III traveled to Orlando, Fla. and enjoyed a vacation at Universal Studios and Disneyworld. His last vacation was in June 2019, where he, Grandma Barbara and Tommy III traveled to Yellowstone, many locations throughout Wyoming and Mount Rushmore. He was planning a trip to Italy in September 2020.
He loved to watch Norte Dame college football and Boston Red Sox MLB. He was a collector of rare and uncirculated coins. He was so proud to be Irish and we will miss our tradition of having a Guinness with him on St. Patrick’s Day. He was an exceptional golfer and enjoyed the game and the time spent with friends and family golfing, even if it was miniature golf at a kid’s birthday party. He was very generous, giving, and thoughtful person. He was a proud dad and very proud Grandpa. His family meant everything to him.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on Dec. 19, 2019, and he diligently tried everything medically available to him to prolong his life, trying to maximize the time he had left to be with his family. On Jan. 8, 2020, after many procedures and chemotherapy, Tom decided he had enough and was ready to come home from the hospital. He was able to leave the hospital on Jan. 15, 2020, and his daughter Samantha and granddaughter Mariah came to live with him and mom, keeping him comfortable and loved until he left us. He will be greatly missed and forever loved. We were blessed to have had him in our lives.
A celebration of life ceremony will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at Stong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Following the mortuary service, Tom would like a memorial to be held at an Irish pub.
We will meet at 1 p.m. at O’Neills Pub, 4310 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will also be held in Torrington at a future date.
