Tracy Dean Fultz, 75, of Ames passed away on October 18, 2024, in the comfort of his home. Tracy bravely fought a seven-year battle with inoperable brain cancer. A memorial gathering will be held on November 15, 2024, from 4-6:00 p.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care (414 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50010).

Tracy was born on October 14, 1949, to Bernard and Elizabeth (Loy) Fultz in Ottumwa, Iowa. He attended Davis County High School and was a graduate with the class of 1967. After high school Tracy attended William Penn University and took courses at Iowa State University. Tracy worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation for thirty-nine years, starting in the field on a core-sampling crew. He then became well-known and respected in various positions in Road Design and the Information Technology Division, and retired in 2010 following several years of managing computer-aided design and drafting applications.

Tracy had many interests and talents. He was a skilled woodworker who took great pride in his high-quality craftsmanship. His numerous projects varied greatly in size and scope, ranging from picture frames and gifts to the bedroom suite he shared with his wife, Donna, and many other large pieces of furniture. He enjoyed nature photography, and was an avid outdoorsman. In his earlier years he was a game bird hunter, but was a lifelong fisherman. He enjoyed being out on the water, especially on Big Creek Lake near Ankeny. For many years he participated in countless tournaments in his local bass fishing club. He loved playing the guitar. He played in high school bands and for a while in a band in Ames, and continued to play well into his 70s. Tracy had a great love of football and baseball, which he played as a youth and in high school, and played slow-pitch softball for many years in leagues in Ames. Finally, he was an avid Cyclone football and basketball fan, and cheered on Kansas City's Chiefs and Royals.

Most of all he was a loving, caring, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Donna Buchwald; children, Aaron (Noelle) Fultz of Ames, and Shannon (Phil) Hingst of Shueyville; grandchildren, Andrew Hingst, Jackson Steburg, Russel Hingst, and Heather Hingst; siblings Terry (Susan) Fultz, Connie (Curt Fuller) Fultz, and Janet (Jim) Barnes, and sister-in-law Gail Miller; and nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Galván, Danielle Fultz, Rich (Charity) Miller, Megan (Sean) Heitmann, Cerissa Fultz, Tyler Barnes, and Rachel Barnes.

Tracy is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Elizabeth, his brother Kevin, and beloved hunting dog Gunner and cat Roto.

Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to help fund a rearing pond for largemouth bass to stock Big Creek Lake. Electronic donations may be made at www.venmo.com/u/TracyFultzMemorial.