Tommy David Fancher

Columbiana

Tommy David Fancher, age 70, of Columbiana, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2014. He was born on July 16, 1943, in Fourmile, and grew up in Cahaba Heights. The visitation will be held on May 21 from 10-11 a.m. at Bolton Funeral Home in Columbiana followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Private burial at Old Chapel Methodist Church in Wilsonville.

In 1962, he joined the U.S. Navy. He served in Vietnam as a River Patrol Captain. He was in the U.S. Navy Special Services (military game warden) in Kodiak, Alaska, and was skipper of a Torpedo Chase Boat in Washington, D.C. He became captain of the presidential yacht in Washington during Nixon, Ford and Carter’s presidential terms.

Tommy received many military awards and was the inspiration for the Alabama Veterans Memorial park located on I-459 in Birmingham.

He loved his family and truly enjoyed helping others.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Houston Fancher. He is survived by his mother, Liddy Wills Fancher; sister, Della “Dink” Fancher (fiancé, Merle Smith); partner, Christina Norbert; her children, Tina Anderson, Rueben Anderson (Nancy) and Rick Anderson (Liz); and their children, R’Lee Anderson, Zack and Katie Jackson; stepson, Guy Sitzke (Stephanie); and numerous cousins, other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Alabama Memorial Park, P.O. Box 36972, Birmingham, AL 35236. Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome.com.