Cecil Roy Fullerton

Cecil R. Fullerton, 95, went home to be with our Lord on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Cecil was born in Akron and attended Akron East High School. He was raised in the Akron Children's Home and various foster homes in the area. In 1945, at age 17, Cecil joined the United States Marine Corps and would spend the next 20 years as a devoted Marine.

He was part of the post-WWII occupation forces in Japan and China, and then in 1950 went to Korea and fought the first year of the Korean War as a tank commander in 3rd Platoon, A Company as part of the Marine Expeditionary Force. Cecil was a Bronze Star recipient with a Combat V for Valor. His tank (A34) was the first Marine tank to destroy enemy tanks during the Korean conflict (Obong-Ni Ridge) and he was very proud of being the first tank into Inchon during the famous landing. His unit was also given the critical task of keeping the road open so that Marines could return from the Chosin Reservoir later that year. People can read about him and his tank platoon in a number of books about the Korean War, including Marine Corps Tank Battles In Korea by Oscar Gilbert.

Upon his return from Korea, Cecil married the love of his life, Marian (White), and they would spend the next 72 years together until her passing in July of last year. They travelled for the next 14 years to numerous posts, including Camp Pendleton (CA) and Camp LeJeune (NC) as well as recruiting duty in various cities, until his retirement in 1965 as a Gunnery Sergeant.

In 1966 Cecil and Marian moved to Mogadore and Cecil became a letter carrier in Akron with the United States Postal Service and would carry the mail, mostly on Akron's near west side, for the next 27 years. While serving as a letter carrier, Cecil was awarded the Brackley Award as Akron's Postal Worker of the Year and he was so loved by the people on his mail route that they gave him a huge sendoff party upon his retirement from the USPS in 1993.

Cecil was a "Marine to the core" and was known as "Sarge" or "Gunny" to many friends. He was a devoted fan of his beloved Mogadore Wildcats for over 50 years and attended a football game as recently as this past season. Even when he could not attend many games any more, his first question was often, "How did the Wildcats do last night?" In their retirement years, Cecil and Marian loved spending time and travelling the country with their friend circle, most of whom greeted him when he arrived in Heaven.

Cecil stayed in touch with his Marine Corps brothers for most of his life, attending a number of reunions around the country. He also loved caring for his granddaughters a couple days a week as they grew up. He was an active member of the former Arlington Memorial Baptist Church in Ellet for most of his life, serving at various times as a deacon or trustee, or in any other area where he was needed. He was a godly and faithful husband and father, an amazing grandpa, and kind to all who met him.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, Marian, and is survived by his son, Craig and daughter-in-law Christy Fullerton; granddaughters, Tori and Destiny Fullerton; "adopted" daughter, Carolyn (Butch) Husk; "adopted" grandchildren, Elizabeth, Laura, Megan Glazar, Rachel and Patrick Husk.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Monday February 12, 2024 at the Donovan Funeral Home-Mogadore,

34 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore with service to follow at 12 p.m. at the funeral home with Student Life Associate Pastor Craig Fullerton (Community Life Church) presiding.

Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Youth Ministries of Community Life Church, 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore, OH 44260.

Youth Ministries of Community Life Church
106 S Cleveland Ave, Mogadore OH 44260