Dwayne Fairbanks

Dwayne Maurice Fairbanks, 51, of Great Falls, passed away from heart failure, July 17, 2015 at Park Place.There will be a graveside service August 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Geraldine Cemetery. Following the service there will be an ice cream social at the Geraldine Methodist Church. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Dwayne was born June 26, 1964 in Fort Benton to Charles and Bernadine Fairbanks. He was the fifth child and the baby of the family. He received his high school diploma from Geraldine High School in 1983. He was involved in athletics through his high school career, including football and basketball. He was well known for his ability to punt a football better than anyone on either team, while they did not keep punting records it is certain to the family that if they had, he would have them all.While growing up on the farm, Dwayne loved to be outside playing sports, it was always a struggle to get him to wear a coat not matter how cold it was outside. He grew up and worked on the family farm. He loved being in the harvest field driving truck, and would still come out to visit whenever it was possible. After graduation from high school, Dwayne started working at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls. He worked there until his diabetes would not allow him to work. He then worked in Chester as an aid in the nursing home until his health halted his ability to work again, and forced him to move home. He lived in Geraldine for several years, until he moved to Great Falls because of his need for dialysis treatments.With the diabetes finally taking its toll on Dwaynes health, he had his left leg amputated below the knee. Due to his continued health problems, Dwayne was living in Park Place so that he could receive the medical attention that was needed.Dwayne fought diabetes since he was 14 years old, but with all of his health problems, Dwayne always found a spark and joy from watching the Dallas Cowboys, LA Lakers, and MSU Bobcats. When sports were not going on, he loved being able to spend time with his dog, Sky, which happened to be his second miniature beagle.The Fairbanks family would like to say a special thank you to the employees of Park Place Health Care Center for everything they did for Dwayne.Dwayne was preceded in death by his dad, Charles Fairbanks; sister-in-law Dawn Fairbanks; sister, Charlene Roudebush; and brother Clinton Fairbanks.He is survived by his mother Bernadine Fairbanks; sister Lois Fairbanks; brother Frank Fairbanks; nieces Cameo Fairbanks and Ragan Donsbach; nephews Chad Roudebush, Nate Fairbanks, and Jake Fairbanks.