Obituary of Martin James Fenton

Martin J. “Marty” Fenton, 68, beloved husband of Deborah J. (Mango) Fenton, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at his home after an extended illness.

Marty was born on January 30, 1955 in Chicago, IL to the late Francis Fenton and Mary (Williams) Fenton. Marty was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. While in the Navy, he was trained as an Aircraft Computer Technologist. After an honorable discharge in 1978, he would go on to work in the Computer Industry for a variety of computer companies. In 1982, he opened his own computer business, Fenton Systems, Inc. until his retirement in 2002. Marty was passionate about many things in his life. The proudest role he had was as a father. Marty enjoyed attending his son’s athletic activities and cheering for them and their teams. He also enjoyed attending his daughter’s music concerts, plays, and other school activities.

Marty had many passions but the one he cherished most was playing golf. One of his proudest achievements was his hole in one at Palatine Hills Golf Course on July 9, 1971, on hole number 4. He loved gardening and enjoyed spending his time outdoors planting, trimming the trees (for the October Bonfire), and enhancing the landscape at his home. If Marty was not in his yard, he was in his workshop building cabinets for Debbie’s home office or finishing his basement. He enjoyed painting when he was younger and started to take this up as a hobby again when he retired to South Carolina. When Marty retired, he took over the culinary duties in the home. He loved to surprise Debbie when she arrived home from work with a new recipe he had seen on the Food Channel. Marty enjoyed time with his friends, his neighbors, and dining out. Friends stopped by and he enjoyed having a good debate about sports (he was a diehard Chicago Bears fan), events in his town, and politics. He was a true people person and friend.

In addition to his high school sweetheart and wife of 47 years, Debbie, he is survived by his children; Martin J. Fenton II of Sussex, WI, Kristen (Damon) Erwin of Vacaville, CA, and Nickolas Fenton of Woodstock, IL, and a grandson, Keegan Erwin. He is also survived by his brothers Frank (Maryann) Fenton, Dan (Sharon) Fenton, Kevin (Gail) Fenton, Joe (Nancy) Fenton, Jerry (Colleen) Fenton, and Tim (Angela) Fenton, brother-in-law Jerry (Rayma Brown) Rongner, loving parents in-law Joseph and Rosemary Mango, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Linda and Dan Dikun and brother-in-law Daniel Mango, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to his parents, Marty was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Rongner.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Memorial Services with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 4:00pm in the George Funeral Home Historic Downtown Chapel with the Rev. K. Scott Ayers officiating. 

Interment will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229.

The family will receive friends on Saturday afternoon from 3:00pm until 4:00pm at The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 649-6234.

Online expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com.

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