Funeral Services for Daniel Fortner

Daniel Fortner passed away June 19, 2016 in Springfield and will be greatly missed by many in his community. To plant memorial trees in his memory click here and remember him fondly; he had an incredible family and many wonderful friends to keep him company throughout life. May you rest in peace!

Early Life and Education

Fortner was raised in southwest Missouri and married Lovena in 1952. For two years he served on Wayne State men’s track team earning varsity letters and setting records in various events.

News-Leader reports indicate he later took on management of Springfield Fairgrounds and developed his own recipe of Pineapple Whip, taking it from trailer parking lots into permanent locations around town.

Fortner spent much of his free time planning summer vacations. He held a pilot’s license and learned scuba diving skills. On his ranch in California he also built dune buggies. Fortner is survived by his wife, one son, three grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews who are all still living. He will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery.

Professional Career

Law enforcement work was his calling card throughout Texas and the South US; his exemplary performance earned him iconic status and earned an autograph from Gary Sinise (who played Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump).

He was a member of the Wichita Falls Jaycees and served as Co-Executive Director of the Miss Wichita Falls Scholarship Pageant; also, Fort Worth Jaycees; Faith Masonic Lodge No 1158 AF&AM; Maskat Shrine Provost Guard of Wichita Falls and Texas Cauble Family Association as well as volunteering with both fire and police forces locally; in Thailand with Carrie as his companion.

Achievement and Honors

Fortner held multiple roles outside his law practice; these included serving on the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee’s Evidence subcommittee and editing The Advocate magazine published by Litigation Section of State Bar of Texas.

In 2016, TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division Colonel Darren Rider honored him as Region III District 31’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for his teamwork, public outreach initiatives, innovation and positive attitude.

He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time; may God bless and comfort all of you.

Personal Life

He was known for being an adventurous traveler who found great pleasure in planning vacations and adventuring abroad, according to his obituary. He acquired both a pilot’s license and learned how to scuba dive, building dune buggies out of old Volkswagens for himself as hobbies.

Fortner leaves behind his wife, Lovena; sons Mike and Chris; daughter Danna with husband Tim; as well as multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Additionally, he served as manager and advocate for the Ozark Empire Fair for many years.

Annette and Daniel share their journey from Springfield, Missouri, to living abroad for seven months with Apollo in Thailand. They talk about traveling with children as well as tips for travelling with young families – noting their favorite spots and why they plan to return there again soon.

Net Worth

Fortner had an estimated net worth of approximately $7.5 million as of 2020. She works in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Management Division as a Senior Managing Director specializing in holistic wealth planning for high net-worth families, private equity firm executives and privately held business owners. Fortner sits on both their Top Advisor and Advisors Councils while being co-founder and past co-chair of Chicago Women’s Network as well as acting as Divisional Recruitment Team Captain at Booth School of Business University of Chicago.

She is a proud mother to two children, living with her husband in West Bloomfield, Michigan. To date she has avoided any significant controversies or scandals and maintained an image that is clean throughout her life.