Elon Chester (Chet) Fairbank

Elon Chester (Chet) Fairbank was born December 25, 1934, to Vincent and Mae (Squier) Fairbank at Ransom, Kansas. He married Christina Faye Minks on May 23, 1958, at Dighton, Kansas. He died June 17, 2017, at his home in Cimarron.

He is survived by his wife, six children, Kim Ray and Cyndi Fairbank of Goddard, Terrilyn Fairbank of Topeka, Rocky and Kimberly Fairbank of Cimarron, Derek and Tammy Fairbank of Hutchison, Jim and Dana Fairbank of Cimarron, Britt and Michelle Fairbank of Garden City; 20 grandchildren: Joshua, Jennie, Jamie, Trenton, Brooke, Stewart, Bo, Haley, Trey, Brandi, Tori, Tyan, Tajia, Taniah, Victoria, Zach, Joey, Josh, Erica, and David; 8 great-grandchildren: Raygan, Anistyn, Drake, Crew, Maverick, Staton, Lyla, and Chloe; and special family, Eryn and Scott DeMoss, Max and Cooper; brothers, Bob and Paul; sisters, Laura Craft, Carol Small, and Dora Yoder. Chet was proceeded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph, Elmer, and Richard; his twin sister, Esther Zordel; and sisters, June Bartlett, Audrey Lentz, and Burdene Schweitzer.

Chet attended schools in Ransom, Kansas, where he graduated in 1953. He attended and played basketball at Dodge City Community College, graduating in 1955.

Chet’s entire professional career was in the grain co-operative system beginning at Dighton in 1955 until his retirement at Lakin in 1998. He was General Manager of Cimarron Co-op until the merger in 1988, then did interim management for co-ops and consulting. He was instrumental with two other Co-op managers in establishing Servi-tech and served as president for 11 years and board member for 3 years. He also served on the board of Wichita bank for Cooperatives and Kansas Coop Council.

Chet was active in his children’s activities: Cub Scouts, coached baseball teams, followed their many school sports activities and then attended many events of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan, having played, refereed, and coached for many years. He was a gun and ammo collector, hunter, Hunter Safety Instructor, and ammo reloader- teaching not only his children, but also many others the skill. He was a member of First Christian Church, being baptized at the age of 74. He was also a longtime member of Rotary Club.

Memorial service will be Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 10: 30 a.m. at First Christian Church in Cimarron. There will be no visitation and no graveside service. Inurnment will be later with family only.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Prairie or the First Christian Church in care of the family at P.O. Box 1142, Cimarron, Kansas 67835.