OBITUARY: John Daniel Fagan

John Daniel Fagan

John Daniel Fagan, 86, of Mesquite, NV, died February 27, 2024. He was born and raised in Columbus Montana. He spent his younger years running with his numerous relatives, forming lifelong bonds. In the 4th grade, he met his buddy Clayton Hamilton and they remained strong and true friends for 75 years.

It was in Columbus where he honed his athletic skills, excelling in basketball, track and baseball. He joined the Air Force in 1956 after working in the oil fields for a year. He was stationed in the Philippines and in Cleveland where he developed his unhealthy love for his Browns and Indians, neither winning a championship during his 65 years of true fandom. After discharge in 1960, John made his way back to Montana where he soon met “his Marzie”. When old buddy Clayton introduced Marian Henrichs to John, he had no idea that those two would be inseparable for the next 65 years.

The lovebirds married in Miles City in 1961. They moved to Billings where John attended Rocky Mountain College. Son Jeff was born in 1962. After a stellar athletic career at Rocky, one which he was ultimately inducted into the Rocky sports hall of fame, John began working for Texaco. In 1966, Texaco transferred the family to Butte, Montana and son Jay was born. He worked in Texaco sales for 12 years.

He started his own Exxon/Texaco petroleum distributor business in 1978 in Butte that succeeded for 25 years until his retirement in 2003. The lovebirds migrated south relocating to Mesquite, Nevada where they enjoyed a long, warm retirement amongst a slew of amazing friends and visitors.

The family of four was tight, loving and always enjoyed time together: Camping, boating, skiing, fishing and golfing, lots of golfing. A family of Montana Grizzlies, John was the biggest fan and he and Marian attended countless games. John enjoyed competitive softball and basketball well into his adult life.

John deeply loved and treasured his “Marzie “. A model of sustained love for all to admire.
Papa loved his grandkids. Ryan, Melissa, Jonathon, Willa and Marlo were special to him and he was so proud of each of them.

John is survived by wife Marian; son Jay (Amy) Fagan; daughter-in-law Cheryl Fagan; grandkids: Ryan Carmody, Melissa Lake (Laramie), Jonathon Fagan (Paula), Willa Fagan and Marlo Fagan; great grandchildren: Lucy and Mika; sister in law Eunice Thorson; brother in law Dick Henrichs; nephews: Ken, Steve and Mike Fagan, and sister in law Telma Fagan.

John was preceded in death by beloved son Jeff Fagan; brother Jerry Fagan; and parents Daniel and Helen Fagan.