Robert Allen Fanning, a Baptist layman and attorney who served on a variety of denominational boards, died Nov. 2 in Dallas. He would have been 88 the following day. Fanning was born in Dallas on Nov. 3, 1931, to Charles Allen and Beryl Buckner Fanning. He graduated from Baylor University and Southern Methodist University Law School. He served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of first lieutenant while serving in Japan in the JAG Corps. He was married to Carolyn Parker Fanning from 1960 until her death in 2006. He married Margaret Sharpe Fanning in 2008. He was a founding partner and longtime chairman of the board of the law firm of Fanning, Harper, Martinson, Brandt and Kutchin. Fanning was a member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. He served more than 40 years on the board of San Marcos Baptist Academy, including service as board chair. In recognition, the academy awarded him its Distinguished Service Medal and Exemplary Service Medal. He received an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University, where he served as chair of the dinner committee for the Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award Dinner and as a member of the DBU Foundation. He also served terms on the boards of Baylor University, the Southern Baptist Convention Annuity Board and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Buckner Fanning, longtime pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons Barry and Marc Fanning; and five grandchildren.
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