Brian Fortner

Mr. Jerry Fortner, age 51, of Guntersville, died on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at his residence.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 2:00 o’clock pm at Rocky Branch Holiness Church with Bro. James Bridges & Bro. Matt Long officiating. Burial will follow in the Rocky Branch Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3p.m. – 8p.m. at the Church. Mr. Fortner will lie-in-state at the church on Wednesday from 12:00pm-2:00p.m.

Mr. Fortner was born in Marshall County Alabama on February 16, 1971, to Jerry Wayne & Margie Nell Lawson Fortner.

Mr. Fortner was a fun loving, hard working and generous family man. Considered by others to be rather athletic, in his early years he enjoyed playing football and basketball and was a long-time follower of the Crimson Tide.            

He and his wife, Kim(berly) Harper Fortner formerly of Albertville, had just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary. They had been married 13 years before the birth of their daughter, Cera Grace; and 21 years before the birth of their son, Harley.

Mr. Fortner believed their children were fruit of the spirit: Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. He counted the birth of his two children as two of the greatest moments of his life. Brian thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his children playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, football, swimming, sight-seeing — essentially anything the children wanted to do.    He was a committed family man.

About 13 or so years ago, Mr. Fortner created Torching & Demolition Partner, LLC.    As an independent contractor, he partnered with his cousin & friend, Kenny Fortner of A & K Metals, operated out of Higdon, Alabama, to provide on-site torching services to recycle scrapped steel, primarily decommissioned rail cars.                   

Mr. Fortner became known across the Southeast as the go-to torching contractor.   However, when asked, Brian always counted his success in terms of family and his salvation as he was clear that any success he enjoyed was at the mercy and grace of his Lord.

Mr. Fortner is survived by his Wife: Kim Harper Fortner of Guntersville, Son: Harley Wayne Fortner, Daughter: Cera Grace Fortner. Mother: Margie Lawson Stephens of Guntersville, Brother: Shannon Lee & LeAnne Fortner of Albertville, Niece: Carleigh Fortner and Nephew: Elijah Fortner. Mr. Fortner was preceded in death by his Father: Jerry Wayne Fortner and Step-Father: Vernon “Junior” Stephens.

Pallbearers will be Mark long, Nathan Fortner, Rodney Ragon, Darron Rice, Jason Golden, Barry Standridge and Dylan Sealey. Honorary Pallbearers will be all the young brothers of Rocky Branch Holiness Church.