Palmer Willis Fant M.D. died peacefully in Independence, VA, on December 8, 2021, of natural

causes.  He leaves behind a legacy of service, a life committed to the communities of which he

so felt a part, and a family that loved him dearly.

Born in Richmond Hill, NY, on February 11, 1927, he was the second son of the Rev. Dr. David

Jones Fant, Jr. and Sara Rebecca Willis Fant. He was drafted to serve in WWII on his eighteenth

birthday – receiving his high school diploma in the mail after he started basic training.  He

trained for service in the Pacific and ended up in Germany when the war ended and where he

served in the signal corps.  Though he grew up around New York City, Palmer Fant had family

roots in the South where he ultimately settled.  After his discharge from the U.S. Army, he

graduated from Furman University (1950).  For several years he farmed with his uncle before

attending the Medical College of South Carolina (1957). Dr. Fant worked as a family practice

physician in Union, SC, and there he found two of his profound loves: Sidney Rose Sarratt; and,

rural health care. Dr. and Mrs. Fant formed a successful team when they married in 1959, and

they shared 62 wonderful and productive years together.

After completing a residency in radiology at the University Teaching Hospitals of South Carolina

(1967), Dr. Fant was drawn to Grayson County, VA, where his wife's family's farm needed new

occupants and loving attention. Dr. Fant was the first radiologist in the area and board certified

by the American Board of Radiology.  During his career, he worked in Galax and Wytheville, VA,

and Sparta, NC, with a vision of providing radiology services efficiently in rural areas.  In 1970,

Dr. Fant trained to read black lung x-rays following the 1969 coal mine safety act and often

traveled to Richlands and Grundy to provide service to the miners in those communities. Dr.

Fant worked hard on what he considered a very important effort to build Twin County

Community Hospital which opened in 1973 and replaced two smaller hospitals.  He served in

various roles, including Director of Radiology Imaging for more than twenty years and Chief of

Staff. During his distinguished career, he held numerous professional offices including Councilor,

Medical Society of Virginia; and, Member, Board of Directors, Southwestern Virginia Medical

Society.  Dr. Fant was named a Fellow of the American Society of Radiology in 1987 and served

as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Society's Virginia Chapter.  He had articles published

in the Virginia Medical Society Journal.

Civic engagement was also a high priority for Dr. Fant. He served on both the Grayson County

Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission. Building of the Grayson County Courthouse

took place during his tenure on the Board of Supervisors. As President of the Elk Creek Ruritan

Club, he spearheaded efforts to start the Elk Creek Volunteer Fire Department. While serving on

the County Board of Supervisors, he led efforts to start a Volunteer Rescue Squad in

Independence.  He was a Mason, a member of Sons of the American Revolution, and a Shriner.

Dr. Fant loved coming home to Summerfield Farm after a busy day at the hospital. He was

curious and enjoyed talking with neighbors and figuring out how to fix things. Working outside

or on projects at the barn gave him a challenge unlike the hospital. He enjoyed being a part of

the Elk Creek and Summerfield communities, visiting with his wonderful friends and colleagues,

and singing in the choir at Lebanon United Methodist Church. His harmonica often came out at

family gatherings. He and Sidney Rose successfully instilled a love of music in their children, and

he delighted in hearing them and his grandchildren play and sing.

His many awards and accomplishments aside, Dr. Fant's greatest legacy is his family. He taught

his children love of country and community, the value of hard work, stewardship of the family

farm and the joy of music and laughter. He showed them by daily example the importance of

maintaining good health, being a lifelong learner, and sharing generously one's time and talents.

He imparted to each of them a great love for the people and beauty of Grayson County. As the

son of a minister, he learned early about faith and continued to study, teach Sunday School, and

share his beliefs throughout his life, providing a Christian example to many.

Dr. Fant is survived by his beloved wife Sidney Rose; daughter Rebecca Fant and husband John

Alday of Charlotte, NC, and their son Alex Alday; daughter Mary and husband Robert "Bob"

Donnan of Covington, VA, and their children Margaret Rose, David, and Sidney; son Col. John

Fant and wife Lt. Col. Brenda Bonk of Elk Creek and their sons Dr. Jack Fant of Gainesville, FL,

and 1st Lt. Peter Fant of Colorado Springs, CO; and son David and wife Dr. Vanessa Sturgill Fant

of Galax, VA, and their children Phoebe, Vivian, and Thomas. Also surviving are sisters-in-law

Gloria Fant of Wycoff, NJ, and Martha Sarratt Whitener of Union, SC; and beloved nephew David J.

"Dodd" Fant of Big Cove Tannery, PA, and niece Martha Whitener Walker of Mt. Olive, NC.  He

was predeceased by his parents and mother-in-law Rose Cox Sarratt of Union, SC, a brother

David J. Fant, III of Suffern, NY, and brother-in-law William J. Whitener of Union.

The visitation took place Friday, December 10, 2021, at the home.  A funeral service was held

Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Lebanon United Methodist Church in Elk Creek

where he was a member for almost fifty-five years.  He was buried at the Fulton Family

Cemetery at Summerfield Farm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the

following organizations in which Dr. Fant was very interested or to a charity of your choice: The

Palmer W. Fant Scholarship Endowment, WCC Educational Foundation, 1000 E. Main St. ,

Wytheville, VA  24382 (Note "Dr. Fant" on memo line.); the Elk Creek Rescue Squad, P.O. Box

130, Elk Creek, VA  24326; the Independence Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 607, Independence, VA

24348; the Elk Creek Fire Department, P.O. Box 136, Elk Creek, VA 24326; or Lebanon United

Methodist Church, ℅ Alta Billings, 1249 Powder Mill Road, Elk Creek, VA  24326.