Mary Lou Fulton

Mary (Mary Lou) Fulton, 88, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away on August 29, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul & Leona (Funchion) Barton; maternal grandparents, William & Maude (Powers) Funchion; paternal grandparents, William & Laura (Fahringer) Barton; brothers-in-law, James (Jim) Homan & Gary Daman; & nephew, Kevin Homan.

She was born on the family farm in Napoleon, Ohio on August 2, 1937 & grew up as the eldest of three daughters in her family of five. Mary attended Napoleon High School & then became a Registered Nurse after receiving her degree from Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio. After graduation, seeking adventure & a warmer climate, she drove across country with friends to relocate & start her career in Phoenix, Arizona. She became Post-Operative Head Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital & then joined the General Health Family Practice of Raymond H. Thomas, M.D.

She married her husband, James (Jim) Thomas Fulton, Jr. on January 12, 1963, at First United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Mary concluded her career in nursing in April of 1964 to concentrate on her new role as a mother to the couple’s daughter, Michele.

Mary enjoyed a variety of activities/interests throughout her life. These included: golfing, bowling, stream fishing, cooking, & being an avid sports fan (especially football) of The Ohio State Buckeyes & the University of Arizona Wildcats. She was a member of a weekly golf league & bowling league for several years; enjoyed her family’s annual family vacations to Greer, Arizona to hike & fish along the banks of the Little Colorado River; loved collecting recipes & cookbooks to prepare meals & tasty treats for her family/loved ones; assisted her husband with coordinating the University of Arizona Phoenix Alumni Association bus trips to Tucson during football season for home games (she & Jim were football season ticket holders for decades as well as active members of the Alumni Association). Later in life, her favorite past-time was creating precious memories with her family, attending her granddaughters’ activities & performances, as well as being present for the special moments in their lives. Mary will be remembered fondly.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, James (Jim) Thomas Fulton, Jr.; daughter, Michele Fireman (Alan Fireman); granddaughters, Alysse Kaeding (John Kaeding) & Marissa Fireman (Alec Bartfay – fiancé); great-grandsons, Colton Kaeding (4) & Wyatt Kaeding (2); sisters, Beverly Homan & Cheryl Daman; as well as several beloved nieces/nephews, great-nieces/nephews, & great-great nieces/nephews.

Our family wants to convey our heartfelt appreciation for all the expressions of sympathy & acts of kindness that we’ve received. A private Celebration of Life is planned in Ohio. To honor Mary’s life … consider donating to a worthy cause of your choosing or simply perform a random act of kindness.