Richard Bernard Fortner

Richard Bernard Fortner, 81, of Salisbury passed away Thursday, October 20, 2016 at his home. Born September 30, 1935 in Rowan County, he was the son of the late Roy William Fortner and Ruby Goforth Fortner Brooks. He was educated in the Salisbury schools and graduated from Boyden High School. Proud of his service to his country, he was a veteran of the US Marines where he drove tanks. Mr. Fortner worked at Duke Energy for over 20 years. He retired as Transportation Supervisor of the Salisbury area. Mr. Fortner was a member of the Spencer Masonic Lodge 543, A.F. & A. M. He was a very sociable person who never met a stranger. He loved country music especially Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. He also enjoyed working in his yard caring for his flowers and shrubs. Mr. Fortner was a wonderful cook and made holiday dinners special. He enjoyed watching football especially the Panthers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon James Fisher; and brothers, Carl Fortner, Charles Fortner, Billy Ray Fortner and sister, Doris Poole. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Catherine Elizabeth Ruffino Fortner; children, Diane Etheridge (Chris), of Salisbury, Robyn Ketchie, of Rockwell, Cheryl McElroy (Alan), of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Mark Fortner of Salisbury, Tammy Boulware (Petie) of Salisbury; sisters, Viola Hudgins of Salisbury, April Whitaker of Lexington; brother, Bobby Fortner of Salisbury; grandchildren, Chris Dunn (Shannon) of Salisbury, Summer Surratt (Mike) of Salisbury, Brittany Mullis (Kevin) of Brooklyn, New York, Adam Mullis (Katie) of Cornelius, several great-grandchildren, and his beloved cat Morris The family will receive friends from 11 AM to 12 Noon Monday, (October 24) at Summersett Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 12 Noon Monday at Summersett Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Rowan Memorial Park with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the US Marine Corp and the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard. The family would especially like to thank the following for their kind and compassionate care. They all had a special place in his heart, Dr. Bayard Powell, Chief of Oncology and Hematology, Megan Manuel, PA in Oncology and Hematology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Suzanne Sparger, RN at Carolina Oncology Associates, Salisbury, Dr. Chet Amin and Tiffany Ingold, PA at Piedmont Family Medicine, Salisbury and all the nurses and staff at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center. Memorials may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or Faith Friends Animal Sanctuary, 220 Grace Church Rd., Salisbury, NC 28147 Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Fortner family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Richard Bernard Fortner

September 30, 1935 - October 20, 2016