John Trowbridge Fairman, age 72, of Manhattan, died October 31, 2012, at the Leonardville Nursing Home in Leonardville, Kansas.

He was born January 28, 1940, in Big Rapids, Michigan, the son of Charles Edward and Helen M. (Carr) Fairman.

John graduated from Big Rapids High School, and in 1966 from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant where he majored in social studies and minored in history and journalism. He was the captain of the golf team for three years at Central Michigan.

He served for three years in the United States Army with one tour of duty in Germany and was discharged as a Private First Class.

John was the managing editor/sports editor of the Big Rapids Pioneer and the news director at Northern Michigan University from 1969 to 1974. He was the public affairs director at Western Illinois University from 1974 to 1987. In 1987 he joined Kansas State University as assistant vice president of university relations. While at Kansas State, he was also liaison to Fort Riley, and director of licensing and marketing of the university’s name and marks on commercial products. Under his leadership, the university’s licensing program grew more than 10 fold. His work resulted in his selection by the International Collegiate Licensing Association as its Hall of Fame Award recipient in 2003. John retired July 31, 2005. In his honor the John T. Fairman Success in Marketing Scholarship Fund was established to award scholarships to juniors and seniors in marketing.

He was a lifelong avid golfer and was a member of Stagg Hill Golf Course in Manhattan.

On July 17, 1960, in Big Rapids, Michigan he was married to his high school sweetheart Nancy G. Dunn. Mrs. Fairman survives of Manhattan, KS. Additional survivors include their two children: Richard Fairman and his wife Monica of Overland Park, KS, and Dana Gray and her husband Thad of West Branch, MI; two siblings: Frances Ward of Big Rapids, MI and Helen Gingrich and her husband Elton of Big Rapids, MI; and five grandchildren: Beau and Jenna Bailer, Kylie, Nicholas and Cayden Fairman.

John was preceded in death by his brother Charles Fairman and his parents.

Cremation is planned with private family graveside services to be held at a later date in the Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids, MI.

Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Send Condolences" on this page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas State University Foundation for the John T. Fairman Success in Marketing Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.