Colonel (Retired) John Mayer Fairey COL (Ret.) John Mayer Fairey, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2019, in Elizabethtown, KY. A Memorial Service will be Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church with a reception and dinner to follow. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg, SC, with military honors. COL Fairey was born on November 14, 1928, in the East Orange section of Orangeburg County, SC, the eldest child of the late Ruth Mayer Fairey and John Luther Fairey. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia Dyer Fairey of Centennial, CO, two sons, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John Dyer (J.D.) Fairey (Lisa) of Aurora, CO, and Wayne Fairey (Linda) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and seven grandchildren (John, Elizabeth, Mary Alice, Anna, Melissa, Caitlyn and Kristin Fairey), and a sister, Warner Martin (Bill) of Bunnell, FL. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Larry Hutto Fairey, and Thomas Wayne Fairey. John was a 1951 graduate of Clemson College and retired from the US Army as an Armored Cavalry officer in 1976. He was a WWII-era veteran having enlisted in the USMC as a 17-year-old in 1946, and also a combat veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. Among his combat decorations were the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was in Company Command in the 73rd Tank Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, during the Korean War and commanded the 2nd Squadron/1st Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhawk) in Vietnam. John was also a Senior Parachutist and commanded a company in the 82nd Airborne Division. After retiring from the military with over 29 years of combined service, he embarked on another career, serving as a Financial Investment Advisor and branch office manager with Hilliard-Lyons for over 32 years. He liked to say he was one of the few people who had two, totally separate, 30-year careers. In addition, he was the Treasurer of the Elizabethtown Lions Club for over 40 years, and very much enjoyed his time with the Lions. He was also a long-time member of Memorial United Methodist Church. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and had a wonderful life. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Service:

Sunday, May 5, 2019 starting at 4:30 PM
Memorial United Methodist Church