Obituary for Dylan Ray Fortner
Funeral services for Dylan Fortner, 28, of Palestine, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 22, 2021 at Living for the Brand Cowboy Church of Athens with Justin Palmer and Gary Bowman officiating. A private interment will follow at Fortner Cemetery in Palestine under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
Dylan passed away October 16, 2021 in LaRue.
Dylan Ray Fortner was born October 20, 1992 in Athens, the son of Jason Ray Fortner and LaRaye Lynn (Johnston) Fortner. He graduated from LaPoynor High School in 2011 where he was active in basketball and baseball. Dylan currently worked as a heavy equipment operator for 5B Construction and was a member of Midway Baptist Church. Dylan lived life to the fullest and enjoyed fishing, making people laugh, talking smack and he had no filter like his mother. He was a family man- a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, husband and excellent father to his children, whom he adored. Dylan will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Bob Johnston.
Survivors include wife and soulmate, Katelyn Smith-Fortner of Athens; parents, Jason and LaRaye Fortner of Palestine; children, Adalee Fortner of Athens, Lleyton Fortner of Athens, Emberlee Fortner of Athens; siblings, Dalton Fortner and wife Brooke of Palestine, Dawson ‘Lil Bro’ Fortner of Palestine, Destini ‘Lil Sis’ Fortner of Palestine; nieces, Brylee Fortner of Palestine, Kolbi ‘Dylan’s Best Friend’ Fortner of Palestine; maternal grandparents, GayLynn Johnston and Randy Wilbanks of Palestine; paternal grandparents, Larry and Dianne Fortner of Athens along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and special extended family, Grayson and Carrie Parker.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chad Schultz, Payton Smith, Garret Wade, Clay Trussell, Timothy Holcomb and Hank Arnold. Honorary pallbearers will be Corey Fetterman, Kyle Forester, James Cofer, Cody Davis, Roland Johnston, Ronnie Crabtree, Coach Ron Cole, Grayson Parker and Josh Baker.
A visitation will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Living for the Brand Cowboy Church of Athens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Fortner Memorial Fund set up on behalf of the family at any First State Bank location.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
Dylan passed away October 16, 2021 in LaRue.
Dylan Ray Fortner was born October 20, 1992 in Athens, the son of Jason Ray Fortner and LaRaye Lynn (Johnston) Fortner. He graduated from LaPoynor High School in 2011 where he was active in basketball and baseball. Dylan currently worked as a heavy equipment operator for 5B Construction and was a member of Midway Baptist Church. Dylan lived life to the fullest and enjoyed fishing, making people laugh, talking smack and he had no filter like his mother. He was a family man- a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, husband and excellent father to his children, whom he adored. Dylan will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Bob Johnston.
Survivors include wife and soulmate, Katelyn Smith-Fortner of Athens; parents, Jason and LaRaye Fortner of Palestine; children, Adalee Fortner of Athens, Lleyton Fortner of Athens, Emberlee Fortner of Athens; siblings, Dalton Fortner and wife Brooke of Palestine, Dawson ‘Lil Bro’ Fortner of Palestine, Destini ‘Lil Sis’ Fortner of Palestine; nieces, Brylee Fortner of Palestine, Kolbi ‘Dylan’s Best Friend’ Fortner of Palestine; maternal grandparents, GayLynn Johnston and Randy Wilbanks of Palestine; paternal grandparents, Larry and Dianne Fortner of Athens along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and special extended family, Grayson and Carrie Parker.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chad Schultz, Payton Smith, Garret Wade, Clay Trussell, Timothy Holcomb and Hank Arnold. Honorary pallbearers will be Corey Fetterman, Kyle Forester, James Cofer, Cody Davis, Roland Johnston, Ronnie Crabtree, Coach Ron Cole, Grayson Parker and Josh Baker.
A visitation will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Living for the Brand Cowboy Church of Athens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Fortner Memorial Fund set up on behalf of the family at any First State Bank location.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.