Obituary of Robert H. Fortney

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND - Robert Howard Fortney, 47, formerly of Ashtabula and Murfreesboro, TN, passed away on January 6, 2018. Rob was born in Ashtabula to Patricia Young and Greg Fortney on June 14, 1970. A 1988 graduate of Ashtabula High School, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University in 1999. He was an entrepreneur from the age of 15, remembered fondly in Ashtabula for operating the teen dance clubs Pizzazz and The Pink Braid in the 1980’s. He enjoyed painting, watching sports, traveling, taking pictures, and most importantly, helping others. He was a part of a Digital Nomad community for the last two years while he had been living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Rob is survived by his daughter, Sierra-Dawn Meghan Fortney, who was the light of his life; his father, Greg (Martha) Fortney of Ashtabula; his mother, Patricia Young of Murfreesboro, TN; brothers, Ryan (Bobbie-Jo) Gray of Frisco, Texas, Eric Fortney of Murfreesboro, TN, and Chad (Jamie) Fortney of Naples, FL; grandmother, Margaret Young of Ashtabula; aunts and uncles, Janice Fry, David (Jayne) Fortney, Karen (Dennis) Shepard, Debbie Mackto, Virginia Young, Kathryn Hennigan, Marilyn Mathews, Patricia Skaggs, Gale Otto, James Otto, and Donald (Susan) Otto; numerous cousins including Marc “Butter” Fortney who he kept close with through the years after they both left Ashtabula; and many extended family and a multitude of friends and loved ones. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Howard and Audrey Fortney and Robert Young; his aunts, Dorothy Keel and Della Lane; and his uncle, Dale Otto. Visitation will be held from 11AM-12 Noon with a service at 12 Noon Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula. NO COVER FOR LADIES!!! www.ducro.com