Jack R. Fenton | |
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Member of the California State Assembly from the 51st district |
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In office 1964–1974 |
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Preceded by | John Moreno |
Succeeded by | Robert G. Beverly |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 59th district |
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In office 1974–1980 |
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Preceded by | Alan Sieroty |
Succeeded by | Matthew G. Martínez |
Personal details | |
Born | August 7, 1916 Rochester, New York |
Died | November 6, 2007 (aged 91) Dallas, Texas |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Betty Byer |
Children | Mark Fenton, Melissa Fenton, Marilyn Fenton, the late Maureen Fenton |
Alma mater | SUNY Brockport |
Profession | Lawyer |
Religion | Jewish |
Jack R. Fenton (August 7, 1916 – November 6, 2007) represented California's 51st State Assembly district and California's 59th State Assembly district 16 years in the California State Assembly. He was part of the Democratic leadership, majority leader in 1972, and helped establish California's occupational health and safety regime.
His parents were Lithuanian immigrants. His father operated a delicatessen.
He earned a degree in 1939 from what was then called Brockport State Normal School, and later studied at University of California, Berkeley.
He was drafted into the United States Army in 1941, and served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. After his discharge, he entered Loyola Law School in 1945, and was graduated in 1949.
Also in 1945, he married Betty Byer who subsequently bore him four children.
He established a law practice in Montebello, California in 1949.
Mr. Fenton belonged to many organizations, including the Optimist Club, American Legion and Rotary Club.