Donald Edward Fontenot 74, of Port Neches, passed away Saturday, July 9, 2005 at his residence in Port Neches.
He was born in Port Arthur born September 17, 1930, and had been a lifelong Port Neches resident. He retired from Unocal in 1988 as an Operator after 38 years of service. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and associated with the First Christian Church in Port Arthur, where he served on numerous committees. He was also a member and past Director of the Port Neches Lions Club and was presently serving as 3rd. Vice-President having been a faithful member for the past 12 years. While serving in the Lions Club Mr. Fontenot was Publicity Chairman and was the man in charge of all the Barbeque Fund Raisers. He was active each year in the Lion's Club sponsorship of multiple children to the Texas Crippled Children's Camp in Kerrville. He was also a member of the United Board of Missions and very active in the Emmaus Society, as well as being involved in the Meals on Wheels program and was a board member of the Port Neches Senior Citizens Organization. He spent 12 years with the Army National Guard, at the time of his discharge he was serving as Master Sergeant with the 111th Combat Engineer Battalion Unit. He and his lovely wife Willie Jane loved to travel. In their times of travel they were able visit all but 2 of the 50 states. He enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels, and also enjoyed reading of History and visiting Historical sites. He also was an avid reader of his Louis L'Amour books.
Survivors include his lovely wife, Willie Jane of Port Neches; three sons, Ronald Edward Fontenot of Fallon, IL, Jasper Steve (Steve) Snyder, Jr. of the Woodlands, James Franklin Snyder of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; two daughters, Donna Lynn Fontenot Kondo of Beaumont, and Mary Janelle Davila of Grand Prairie; 13 grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Wilbur Griffin of Kountze, Fred Griffin of Port Neches; three sisters-in-law, Mary Ida Ligon of Houston, Rowena Griffin of Kountze, Edna Griffin of Nederland.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 4-8 pm Monday, July 11, 2005 at Broussard’s Mortuary 505 12th. St. Nederland with a Christian Vigil Service at 5:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Reverend Bennie Patillo officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
Following the ceremony, family and fiends will meet at the Port Neches Senior Citizens Center at 633 Grigsby for food and fellowship.
For those desiring memorial contributions, donations may be directed to the United Board of Missions, 6650 9th Ave, Port Arthur.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Kondo, Alan Kondo, Eric Davila, Michael Davila, Andrew Davila, Ben Snyder, Neil Snyder, Daniel Snyder, and Will Snyder.
