Clarence S. "Larry" Fairbanks, Jr.

Clarence “Larry” Fairbanks Jr. passed away quietly at his home on Saturday, September 28, 2024 of cancer.  His wife Cortney and his daughter Trude were at his side.

Larry was born March 19, 1954 to Clarence and Helen Fairbanks in Ashland, Ohio.  He grew up in Greenville, Ohio and after graduating high school there he attended Wright State University.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1977 and spent most of his career working for the State of Ohio, first in the Department of Health and then at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency where he worked for over two decades.  While there, two of his primary responsibilities were air quality monitoring around the state and heading an asbestos mitigation program.

Caring for our environment and protecting our natural resources was a passion of his, possibly stemming from his early years as an Eagle Scout. He was also fascinated by emerging technologies, and was an early adopter of many things such as home computers and electric-assisted bicycles.  Bicycling was an important hobby for him as it allowed him to combine his love of the environment with his love for gadgets and he spent many hours in the garage tinkering with various bikes.

He loved his family and his pets.  He loved telling terrible Dad Jokes and making even worse puns.  He loved when Cortney would ask him to explain something to her so he could go into “professor mode” and give the most complicated answer he could come up with, just so he could watch her stare at him in bafflement.  He loved challenging his brain and his reflexes with complicated computer games.

He also loved supporting things that were important to him.  He was afan and a supporter of his local PBS station, WOSU.  He was a dedicated member of the ACLU of Ohio for many years and even served on the Board at one point.  He and Cortney regularly participated in fundraising bike rides for various causes, including Cerebral Palsy research and Autism Awareness.  He also picketed for, marched for, and canvassed for causes and politicians that he believed in.

He is survived by his wife Cortney (Swartz) Fairbanks and by his daughters and their partners: Gertrude “Trude” Melton (Branden Harding) and Emily Swartz (Landon Mapel).  He is also survived by his sisters and brother-in-law Carole Fourman and Juanita (Gunter) Kiryluk.  He was preceded in death by his parents and another brother-in-law, Larry Fourman.

Those wishing to pay their respects may call on the family Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 2 pm to 4 pm at Murray Funeral Home, 173 S. Main St, Creston, OH.  A brief service will be held at the funeral home at 4 pm.  A dinner will follow at Burbank Trinity United Methodist.