After a 12-year battle with cancer my beloved husband John Fulton passed on Nov. 12, 2016.

He fought long and hard for all those years and received so much support from our family, friends and doctors.

Dr. Terrill, Ellen, Sarah and all their staff were wonderful. Dr. Terrill tried every method he could find to slow the progression and give us more years. In truth, I credit his efforts with giving us at least five of those 12 years. No way to put a price on that, he is to be commended!

There were some times we needed the services of Sutter Lakeside Hospital and we were always well taken care of. When it became necessary to have John’s lung drained every couple of weeks, Dena and Dr. Reddy taught me how to do this at home which made the process so much more comfortable for John.

Our family is very grateful for all the support from so many on John’s passing. He touched many during his life, well outside of our immediate family. Your thoughtfulness and expressions of support are truly appreciated! I am still amazed at all the cards, phone calls and messages from the friends we have found over the years in and out of Lake County.

We moved here in January 1989 and the only person we knew was the real estate lady. John found Lake County and I am so grateful he did, we’ve never looked back. Our daughter Dianna joined us a couple of years later along with her family.

I credit our involvement beginning in 1989 with the (then) Greater Lakeport Chamber of Commerce bringing us so many friends. John joined the Sheriff’s Posse becoming a long term volunteer; we joined the Konocti Rod & Gun Club, helped start the ABATE Chapter 28 motorcycle club; became directors in the Lake County Rodeo Association and I became a member of Delta Iota Tau, a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and the Lakeport Rotary Club.

All of these things have made John’s (and my) lives very meaningful. It also gave him many reasons to fight so hard through those years of pain.

The final group John became involved in are a wonderful group of guys that I call (with love) The Old Farts Coffee Club which meets every day at McDonald's. Those guys became very special to John and he looked forward to being with them. When he could no longer drive himself, Lee Cook and sometimes Steve Davis made sure he didn’t have to miss the gathering.

In late March 2015 we called upon Hospice of Lake County for help. Their care was exceptional and never faltered during the remaining months of John’s life. Jonathon Speak was his nurse and I cannot speak highly enough about Jonathon and all the staff who took such good care of John. They were with us until the very end on Nov. 12.

My gratitude goes to so many for the care he received during his passing. Dianna called our son Mark and daughter-in-law Sonja in Medford and all three were with us the final days along with grandson Eli and his wife Melissa. They were all a blessing to John and me.

John’s service at Chapel of the Lakes was flawless, with the Military Honors Funeral Team, Bill Brunetti, Bill Kearney and Tom Lincoln taking such important parts in saying goodbye.

The celebration of life was beautifully put together by my sisters of Delta Iota Tau with Beth and Jeff Havrilla coordinating the food, while Don Lange/Lakeport Rotary Club took charge of the liquid refreshments. Tony Barthel put together a wonderful video of photos from the 46 years together that John and I shared.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten to mention someone but please know that you are all treasures to me and to my family. I know John felt very honored by the great outpouring of love and caring!

Melissa Fulton lives in Lakeport, Calif.