Charles "Michael" Fanning

Charles “Michael” Fanning passed from his earthly life in Ecuador on September 9, 2024, after a brief illness. A Liturgy of the Word Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2024, at Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Waco Memorial Funeral Home. Meal for family and friends will follow conclusion of all services at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption Parish Hall at 1424 Columbus Ave, Waco, Texas 76701.

Michael was born at the old Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas on July 18, 1952, to Madge and Dalton Fanning.

Michael attended Axtell ISD and graduated from Axtell High School in 1970. He then attended McLennan Community College where he was a member of Sigma Delta Phi.

From an early age, Michael knew he wanted to be in the communications field, specifically a radio DJ; however, the persona of “Michael Jay” never came to life. From 1972 to 1974, Michael worked at KCEN-TV, Channel 6. While there he was introduced to the cable television industry and the prediction of the US being wired from coast-to-coast with cable TV; after researching advancement opportunities he decided on a different career path. This career began on March 26, 1974, and ended September 12, 2006, after thirty-two years of service. Michael started as a supervisor of three people as Production Coordinator for Channel 12 Theater. He retired as Vice President of Operations responsible for customer service with over 100 employees. In Michael’s words, "Not bad for an Axtell boy!” Johnny Mankin and James Howard Jones were key mentors to his development and success in this industry.

Michael enjoyed skiing, golfing, working out at the Waco Family Y, walking on the beach in Ecuador, and gardening. He always had a beautiful backyard with ponds, swimming pools, and plants galore to entertain friends with his favorite drink in hand, a margarita – frozen or on the rocks. His special friends included the “Old Farts” and their “Sweethearts,” Jerry and JoAnn Crocker, Emmitt and Rose Flores, Stacy Schmitt, and Ceji Wesolick.

Michael was a lover of animals, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around people. He was fondest of his two Jack Russell Terriers, Eddie and Aggie, and cats, Kitty Momma and Munchkin. He enjoyed supporting Baylor Football and Baylor Lady Bears basketball. While he enjoyed McLane Stadium on Saturdays, he had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery very shortly after the closing of Floyd Casey Stadium – he truly “cheered his heart out” on that frigid day in December when the “Case Closed” and Baylor defeated Texas.

Michael bought a set of Lyra drums in 1966 at the age of fourteen and enjoyed playing over the years. He was a member of several bands beginning with the Knight Shift and ending with The Brazos River Knights. The music of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd shaped and influenced his life. Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin), You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones), and Free Byrd (Lynyrd Skynyrd) were Michael’s favorite songs and captured his outlook on life.

Michael was baptized and joined the Catholic Church at St. Jerome’s Easter Vigil in 2001. He was a long-time member at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption (Waco) where he served as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, and was a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International.

Michael and Ronnie (Sanders) were originally married August 4, 1973, and were reunited in marriage on July 18, 2000, at the St. Louis Catholic Church Rectory by Monsignor Mark Deering. In 2022 they purchased a vacation home in Ecuador where they had planned to enjoy their retirement years. Michael was blessed with three children who were important to him.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gregory Dale Fanning.

Michael is survived by his wife, Ronnie; children, David Fanning, Corliss Woodward and husband Cameron, Casey Phelps and husband Dustin Kahanek; along with grandchildren, Finley, Waylon, Cannon, Cailynn, Deanna, and Denton.

Michael lived the dash of his life between birth and death with a genuine and loving soul never missing the opportunity to give those he loved a handwritten card for every holiday, but also with a lot of stubbornness which we will miss greatly. From one of his favorite songs his life motto was “you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you'll find you get what you need.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following - St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption (Waco), Axtell Ex-Students Association, or Fuzzy Friends.

The pallbearers are as follows: F David Berry, James Herring, Cecil Padgett, Ken Abood, Ben Gorham, Dub Cunningham, Lynn Janek, Steve Short, Dan Ryan, and Dan Monaghan. The honorary pallbearers are as follows: 1970 – 1972 MCC Sigma Delta Phi Fraternity Members and Ecuadorian Friends.