Paul Martin (Marty) Fangman passed away peacefully the evening of Wednesday, April 21st, after a short, unexpected illness. He was lovingly surrounded by his former wife/friend Kristy Fangman, their two children Haley and Zach, and Haley’s fiancé Carl Wallnau.
Being born in the back of a taxicab began Marty’s lifelong need to always be on the move. This included fast cars, motorcycles, boats and, while in the Army, helicopters.
Raised in Claymont, Delaware, Marty was the first-born of seven children in the working-class family of parents, Paul and Ruth Fangman.
Marty graduated from Claymont High School, worked for the A&P grocery chain until being called up to the military. Marty was a member of the famed 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) during two tours of the Vietnam War as a door gunner on a Huey Gunship. Shot down a couple of times, he dusted himself off and climbed aboard again to do his duty for his country and earned a Purple Heart.
Upon his return to civilian life, Marty worked for Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), and earned his B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Maryland. He accepted a transfer to Dallas, which was the beginning of his lifetime travels.
While in Dallas, Marty changed direction, utilizing his chemistry background to carve out a career in the digital printing business starting in Account Sales, ultimately achieving VP of Sales, retiring in November of 2020.
Meeting and marrying Kristy Cheesewright gave him a partner who came aboard his travel train taking them to California, Arizona and finally returning to Dallas, where they raised their family. Marty’s children were the light of his life. If anything good came during this pandemic, it was his ability to spend quality time with Haley and Zach, while work travel was on hold.
Marty had an abundance of friends. He loved food, cooking meats to perfection, and a good bottle of wine. His smiling face and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all.
Marty was preceded in death by his father, Paul Fangman in 1994, his brother Robert (Bobby) Fangman in 2001. His Mother, Ruth Fangman passed two days after Marty on April 23, 2021.
Marty is survived by: former wife, Kristy Fangman, daughter Haley, son Zachary, daughter Jennifer Kristy Faustine, grandchildren Madison and Kyle Kristy, great grandson Carson Kristy, siblings Michael Fangman (Maria), of Greensboro, NC , Stephen Fangman of Elkton, MD, Debbie Fangman (Greg Kruszewski) of Wilmington, DE, Terri Frakes (Rich) of Palmyra, VA, Carole Ricci (Mike) of Boothwyn, PA, nephews Steve Fangman (Lupe), Michael Ricci, Jack Ricci, and Great Nephew Sebastian.
In his last days, Marty was working on a memorial, honoring his youngest brother Robert (Bobby)Fangman, a victim of the 911 terrorist attacks.
We end with a quote from Jack Thorne, “Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch.”
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18