Calvin David Fairbanks III passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 30, 2019. He was born December 26, 1949 in Kingstown, Rhode Island to his parents, Calvin and Irene Fairbanks.

Calvin served in the US Navy for 4 years during the Vietnam conflict. In the 70’s Calvin moved between Omaha Nebraska and Garden Grove California working as a power plant operator. His travels also brought him to the Milwaukee Wisconsin area where he worked for Allis Chambers and eventually landed him back in Missouri where he remained for many years in Rolla. He worked at Phelps County Regional Medical Center for many years in the boiler room before eventually returning to the area as a merchant marine. This is where huis true love for the open seas began again. Calvin was fortunate enough to travel around the world several times and has visited more countries than most people and could have dreamed of in a lifetime.

“Cal” is survived by his daughter Cathy Turner, stepdaughter Tina Shetler, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Besides family events, Cal enjoyed his friends at the local Elks Lodge #409. He enjoyed all the love and company from his lodge family and would always be the first to lend a helping hand. Calvin was known by all as a man who always had a smile on his face and never missed an opportunity to crack a joke. One of his final jokes was shaving his head and telling people he was going to have it shined at the bowling alley. One for solid advice, Cal often enlightened people by reminding them to “never eat yellow snow” or “never trust a fart!”. Calvin was a true happy spirit to the end and even had plans to celebrate on Halloween. Though he didn’t attend in person, he was there enjoying the laughs and events with all of his friends and family.
This is just a short story of a man who was lucky enough to have survived being struck by lightning not once, but twice. (Yes, lightning does strike twice in the same “place”; life lesson learned.)
The family would like to invite everyone to the Elks Lodge on Sunday November 17, from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm, for a potluck and celebration of life with military honors following.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com