Fenton Dietz

Loving and devoted husband and father Fenton Charles Dietz, 93, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2019. Fenton was born May 25, 1925, in Des Moines, Iowa and was the son of the late William Kieth and Ada Mae (Mott) Dietz.

Following graduation from Johnson High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois, he was assigned to the Navy’s Aviation Mechanics School at Navy Pier in Chicago. After an honorable discharge from the navy when World War II ended, he quickly returned to civilian life in Des Moines and married Linetta (Lee) Mary Greenwood on October 31, 1947.

In 1950 Fenton graduated from Drake University with a B.S. in Education and taught at Van Meter High School in Van Meter, Iowa.  Although he enjoyed teaching, he was looking for opportunities with more growth potential, so he began a sales career with the Phillips Petroleum Company in 1953.  As his career advanced, he and his young family moved to several cities in Kansas, including Wichita (1956), Emporia (1961) and finally Overland Park (1965). He and Linetta were members of Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas.

In 1970 he started his own business, D&D Oil Company, located at 95th and Antioch in Overland Park.  After 12 years in operation, he closed the business in 1982 and retired.

Fenton had a passion for sports, especially golf, and loved watching college basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs.  Through much of his life he was an avid and accomplished golfer and enjoyed his membership at Brookridge Country Club. He also enjoyed fishing, especially for lunkers in Northern Minnesota with friends and family.

Fenton was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Linetta, and his grandson, Kyle Fenton Dietz.  He is survived by his brother, William Kieth Dietz aka “Colonel Billy” of Kansas City; his son Fenton Kirk Dietz (Pam) of Zionsville, IN; his daughter, Mary Kathrine Seybold (James) of Sterling, VA; his son Carl Fredrick Dietz (Debbie) of Overland Park, KS; and seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, with one more on the way.