Kenton Fairchild

Kenton Fairchild, 75, of Mansfield, passed away after a short illness Thursday, November 12, 2015, at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born August 28, 1940, in Inez, Kentucky, to the late Fred and Pauline (Maynard) Fairchild.

Ken graduated from Inez High School and Morehead State University. A gifted athlete, he played basketball in high school and received All State honors. He also played for one year at Morehead State University. He remained an avid sports fan throughout the years following the Kentucky Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, and all Cleveland sports teams (especially the soul crushing Browns). Ken enjoyed playing golf and taking summer baseball trips with his boys.

His teaching career spanned 30 years, mostly in the Mansfield City School system. While at John Sherman Junior High, he met his future wife, Barbara Denig, while she was substitute teaching. He coached basketball at John Sherman Junior High school and continued on to Mansfield Senior High as assistant varsity coach. He finished his coaching career as head basketball coach at Malabar High School. Over the years, he coached many players who became All-Ohio stars. As a coach, he honed not just the athletic skills of young men but the morals, values and true meaning of being an upstanding and honorable person. As if he weren't busy enough, he also officiated high school basketball for 20 years. After his retirement, he became Chief Probation Officer for the Richland County Juvenile Court.

His social life was as active as his athletic life. Signing up at the Owls and Elks and enjoying a few beers with his friends were a part of his social activities. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing solitaire and FreeCell with his dog, Bernie, at his feet. Most enjoyable of all was making his granddaughter laugh. He was a member of Little Washington Congregational Church.

Ken is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barbara Fairchild; sons, Kenton Fairchild II (Samantha Lyle) and Joseph (Devin) Fairchild; Jeff (Ang) Freeman, whom he loved like a son; granddaughter, Ella Elise Fairchild; sisters-in-law, Rose Fairchild, Mary Beth (Tad) Cochran and Marilyn Denig; brothers-in-law, Jim Denig, Ernie Hofsaess and Steve Them; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Fairchild; in-laws, Joseph and Wanda Denig; brothers-in-law, Joseph and John Denig; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Denig Hofsaess and Pooh Denig Them.

The family will receive friends from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2015, in the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. The funeral service will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Little Washington Congregational Church, 2323 Washington South Road, Mansfield, with Rev. David Root officiating. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, honoring Ken's respect of the commitment and sacrifices made by our armed forces, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.