Feb. 6, 1925-Aug. 6, 2007
Delmer Fuson, 82, died in the early morning of Aug. 6, 2007 after a long illness.
He was born in Winterset, Iowa, on Feb. 6, 1925.
He was the third child of five born to Guy and Leila (McLarmand) Fuson. The family lived on an 80-acre family farm until he was 10. The farm was sold for $10,000. The following years, Mr. Fuson, his brothers and Dad worked for shares on different farms, earning $3 to $5 per day, harvesting oats, wheat and flax.
At age 18, Mr. Fuson enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served for three years, excelling in mechanics. He became a sergeant and spent time stateside and then in Africa.
He married his sister’s best friend, Twyla Claire Garrett, on Dec. 28, 1946. He was 21. She was 18. They started out with $50 and an old car. Eight years later, they moved to California with a new car and $10,000.
They had two children, daughters, Tana Lee and Kandi Sue, and made their home in Simi Valley, Calif. The family enjoyed many happy times on the nearby beaches and numerous vacations.
Mr. Fuson worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District, retiring early as an inspector at age 52. The whole family relocated to Oregon.
Mr. Fuson enjoyed the outdoors. He hunted, fished and gardened with his wife. He always left things better than when he’d come, whether it was a cleaner campsite or a handy repair job. He delighted in helping.
Mr. and Mrs. Fuson traveled all over the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, and Canada. He prepared metal surfaces that Mrs. Fuson painted. These items ended up as far away as Japan.
He taught his children, grandchildren and great-grand-children to work hard to provide for their families and live with integrity.
He wasn’t perfect, his family said, but he was committed and expected the same from his family.
Mr. Fuson is survived by his wife of 60 years, Twyla; daughters, Tana Hutto and her husband, Lance, and Kandi Theodore, and her husband, Michael; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Marquerite Brown and Wilma Kennedy; brother, Don Fuson; and many nieces, nephews and friends.