Johnny Dale Fanning of Marietta, OK, was born on April 5, 1962, in Oklahoma City, OK to Bobby Fanning and Virginia “Jean” Mae Grice. He passed away from this life surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at his residence.

Johnny was a 1980 graduate of Marietta High School and had lived in Love County his entire life. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Church.

He spent many years working in the sand plant industry, helping put up several sand plants from Cleburne, TX, to Thackerville, OK, as well as in various other states. He had an incredible talent for his work. He could work a dredge like you wouldn’t believe and could operate just about any piece of heavy machinery put in front of him—dozers, excavators, and everything in between. He knew his way around machinery and took great pride in knowing how to do things that many others simply couldn’t.

After leaving the sand plant industry, Johnny started his own business drilling water wells. Once again, he built something with his own hands and determination. He was a hardworking man who knew how to provide, solve problems, and get the job done. He also had a gift for teaching others what he knew, and many people learned the sand-plant trade and the skills of working around heavy equipment from him.

In his younger years, Johnny enjoyed fishing and noodling, and he loved coon hunting with his beloved dogs. Those were some of the things that brought him happiness and gave him stories and memories that will live on through the people who knew him.

Above all, he was a family man and a provider. He and his wife shared 41 years of marriage, celebrating their anniversary on September 27. Their life together was filled with good times, hard times, trials, loss, perseverance, and countless memories. Through it all, they continued forward together.

Johnny was a father to his daughters, Lindsey and Monica, and his love for his family was evident in the many ways he worked to provide for them. He was also a grandfather who leaves behind grandchildren who will carry pieces of him with them: Kynleigh Gray, Rubee Gray, Madisynn Payne, Johnny Payne, Nora Martin, and Iris Martin.

Johnny could be rough around the edges, and anyone who knew him well would probably tell you he had a personality all his own. But underneath that stubborn exterior was a man with a big heart. He was generous with what he had, willing to help others, and always willing to share what he knew. His stories, his sense of humor, his determination, and even his hardheaded ways will be missed more than words can say.

In the last few years of his life, during his sickness, Johnny gave his life to Christ and became a believer. His faith became an important part of his life, and he found comfort in knowing that he belonged to Christ. Though his final years brought difficult days, his faith gave him hope and peace. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is no longer suffering and is now at peace with his Savior.

Johnny’s life was not perfect, but it was his. He worked hard, loved his family, fixed what needed fixing, taught what he knew, and left an impression on the people fortunate enough to know him. There will never be another man quite like him.

Preceding Johnny in death is his mother, Jean; grandparents, Robert Fanning and Ruth Langford; great grandparents, John and Mattie Liddell; and a brother, Herschel Peery.

Those left to cherish Johnny’s memory are his wife, Regina Fanning of the home; daughters, Lindsey Gray and Mark Payne, and Monica Fanning and Tanner Martin, all of Marietta; six grandchildren; father, Bobby Fanning of Chickasha, OK; special father, Herschel “Bub” Peery of Marietta; brother, Neil Fanning of Marietta; special brother, Walter Christian of Marietta; sister, Darla Parkhill and husband Kevin of Dickson, OK; sister-in-law, Brenda Peery of Marietta; and lots of extended family members and friends. He will be deeply missed by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

At his family’s request, a private ceremony will be held at the Red River, where his ashes will be scattered in a place meaningful to those who loved him. Cremation services are under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Marietta.