Daniel Fender

Daniel Paul Fender passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on August 7, 2024. We have no doubt that he was greeted at the gates of Heaven by Geneva and a host of family and friends who have gone before.

Dan was born on July 11, 1939 to Charles P. And Notra Fender in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. He served in the United States Navy after high school and married Geneva on February 22, 1959 in Marietta, Oklahoma.

Dan moved to Midland, Texas in 1966 with Firestone Tire. He became part owner of Goodrich Service Center in 1969 along with Goodrich Hejl and Bill Williams. Dan and Bill acquired Goodrich Hejl's interests and later divided the company's assets. He then operated Dan Fender Tire (now Fender Truck Accessories) until 1992, when he moved to Ruidoso, NM to open another tire store. There he was a driving force in fortifying the Gateway Church of Christ.

In his retirement years, he facilitated the operation of MountainView Church Camp, Christian Services at Gateway Church and operated Gateway Condos in Ruidoso. He spent many years getting to church early to start the coffee and provide donuts for the congregation (and one or two for himself)!

He was the type of grandpa that would see a small child and make them laugh. He was everyone's "Daddy Dan", and we were happy to share him because it was the joy of his life to help children and to make people smile. He was always witty and quick to crack a joke.

Dan was instrumental in providing help to so many people over the years whether it was a flat tire or an urgent life crisis. Dan was generous- he never hesitated to use whatever resources he had in order to help someone in a bind.

Dan is survived by his 5 children and their spouses; Kevin and Crista Fender of Abilene, TX, Byron and Karla Fender of Midland, TX, Paula and Doug Reynolds of Ruidoso, NM, Kerry and Lisa Fender of Azle, TX and Barry and Lisa (Friend) Fender of Midland, TX; 15 grandchildren and their spouses; Callie, Ben (Jade), Cade (Helen), Kaitlin, Chase (Abby), Jaydon, Jake, Justin (Taylor), Luke (Claire), Davis (Sallie), Casey, Shea (Hill), Dillon (Shelby), Faith, and Brandon (fiancee' Sarah) and 6 great grandchildren and one on the way.

He is preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Geneva Ann, brothers; Charles David and Rodney, and parents; Charles and Notra Fender.

Special thanks to the staff at Goodlife Senior Living for taking such great care of Dan.

A private family memorial will take place at a later date. In lieu of a public memorial, the family asks that you do a random act of kindness for someone in honor of both Dan and Geneva and their lifelong commitment to helping others.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial gifts be made to support the New Mexico Christian Children's Home in Portales, NM (1356 NM 236 Portales, NM 88130) or The Foster's Home for Children in Stephenville, TX (1779 N Graham St. Stephenville, TX 76401) or the Dan and Geneva Fender Family Endowment at Tarleton State University. (Box T-0415 Stephenville, TX 76401)