CHARLES TEMPLE "FRENCHY" FONTAINE

Charles Temple "Frenchy" Fontaine passed away at his home Sunday November 15, 2009 at the age of 86. He was born October 23, 1923 at West Point, MS to Henry Lamar and Francis Swann Fontaine. Frenchy grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi and was very proud of accomplishing the rank of Eagle Scout. He received an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1942 and it was at the Naval Academy the nick name "Frenchy" was attached. After graduating in three years, he was deployed on the battleship New Mexico and was part of the fleet that participated in the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. After the war, his duty station was in Italy, as part of the occupation force. In 1946 the Navy sent him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to complete his education as an Electrical Engineer. He met and married Marjorie Wedding while serving in Washington D.C. in 1953. He finished his naval career at the U.S. Navy Mine Defense Lab in Panama City, Florida. With 6 six children under the age of ten, he started a second career as a stock broker and opened the A.G. Edwards brokerage office in Panama City. Frenchy loved to read, build things, and tell stories. His stories were of personal mis-fortunes that turned into fortunes as well as stories passed down from his forefathers. Family stories included tales of a Civil War hero, Lamar Fontaine and a Revolutionary hero, and ancestor, Patrick Henry. He loved feeding his birds and cats and growing plants from seed in his yard. More than anything, he loved his children and grandchildren and great grand-daughter. Although his children grew to be successful adults, he fussed and worried over them every single day. Later in life, his weekly trips to the Tyndall Commissary always included special trinkets for the grand kids; rubber bugs, princess crowns and plastic dinosaurs abounded. He was a character and a friend to family, neighbors and business associates alike. We will surely miss him. He is survived by his children; "Tem" Fontaine, Jr. and wife Lesley, "Bill" Fontaine, Gail and husband Bill Allen, John Fontaine and wife Stacey and James Fontaine and wife Karen. Grandchildren include Tiffany Harris and husband, Will Harris, "Tem" Fontaine III and wife Amelia, Douglas Fontaine Jr., Kristi Fontaine, Michael Allen, Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Allen, Emma Claire Fontaine, Lillian Fontaine, Trad Patchell , Rachel Fontaine, Nicholas Fontaine, and great-granddaughter, Anna Harris, all of Panama City, FL. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Marjorie, and son George. Special gratitude to care giver, Maria Seivert. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Warren officiating. Entombment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6 – 8 p.m.

Wilson Funeral Home