Donald Fenton

Donald Fenton went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 5, 2017.   Born in Medford, Massachusetts on October 9, 1937, he was raised on a farm in Clinton, Maine, graduated from Maine Central Institute and served with the US Army Intelligence in Korea and at the National Security Agency.   His early career began in agricultural, industrial, and ground maintenance equipment sales in the New England states and New York.  

At the age of 27 years, Mr. Fenton became sales manager for Baxley & Burton Equipment Company, one of the largest wholesale distributors in the Eastern US.  He later became President and CEO of the Taylor and Pittsburgh Farm Equipment Divisions of the Ampco Pittsburgh Corporation positioning the company for acquisition.  He then joined DMI, Inc., in Illinois as Corporate Vice-President of Sales.  The growth and market penetration of DMI attracted many potential suitors and eventually became a part of CNH Global (Case-New Holland Tractors).  After 42 years in the agricultural business, Mr. Fenton retired in Cleveland, TN, where he continued to be active as a consulting contractor to the industry. 

Mr. Fenton has served in many civic organizations, church committees, and was very active on the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Board of Directors where he chaired several committees.  

Mr. Fenton was the son of the late John and Lillian Fenton.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Nancy T. Fenton.  

He is survived by one son, Brent Michael Fenton and wife, Susan, of Nashville, TN; two grandchildren, Derrick Fenton and wife, Chelsea, of Cleveland, TN, and Amanda Schmaus of Lebanon, TN; one great-grandson, Mason Summers; siblings, Alfred Fenton and his wife, Suzie, Barbara Kenworthy, Carol Farnsworth, and several nieces and nephews, all from the New England area.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to, Welcome Home Chattanooga, 400 South Germantown Road, Chattanooga, TN 3741. 

A Celebration of life will be held in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Cy Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Fenton family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.