Jimmy Donald "Rip" Fanning, age 85, passed away November 14, 2020. He was born June 26, 1935 in Milan, Tennessee to Ina Lee Johnson and Brodie Alton Fanning. He graduated from Southside High School, Memphis, Tennessee where he was a member of the All-Memphis baseball team. He was also a Golden Gloves Boxing Champion and an avid golfer. He worked in the trucking industry for 50 years before ending his working career with Specialty Feeds, Inc.
He was a devoted family man and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was an active, lifetime member of First Assembly of God Church where he was an usher and deacon, and played clarinet in the orchestra. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Estelle Coscia Fanning; daughter, Sharon Rainey (Steve); son, Chuck Fanning (Debra); grandchildren, Emily Permenter (Ethan), Chuck Fanning, Jr., Ben Fanning (Lindsey), Daniel Rainey (Meagan), and James Rainey (Laura); and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Brodie and Ina Fanning and sister, Sandra Lorentino.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 2:00 PM at First Assembly Memphis, 8650 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN 38018. At the family's request, there will not be a visitation. Burial will follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, alz.org., or the charity of the donor’s choice.
