George F. Fondren Jr.

George was born on February 21, 1945, in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina while his father was in the Marines. His parents are the late George Franklin Fondren, Sr., and the late Yvonne Betts Fondren. He was the eldest of four children. He spent his early years in Memphis, Tennessee and later moved to the Mississippi Delta and the town of Indianola. George loved Indianola and the Indian Bayou. The Mississippi Delta held a special place in his heart as a place where he grew up catching turtles and hunting and fishing at Merigold Hunting Club. This time in the Delta inspired his beloved “Frankie Frog” stories that his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews grew up on as tales of adventure with the animals that lived on the bayou.

A lover of music, he was a natural at playing multiple instruments and was an integral part of the Indianola High School Band where he earned the role of Student Director for the band concert.

George graduated from Indianola High School in 1963.

George attended Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1967. While there, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, a member of the Cavaliers, and a Dean’s List Scholar. It was through his brotherhood in Kappa Sigma that he met his wife of almost 55 years, Paula Brumfield Fondren, on a blind date set up by her brother. After three years of courtship they were married at the Itta Bena United Methodist Church on September 02, 1967. Together, they raised two children George Willis Fondren of Ridgeland, Mississippi, and Kayla Fondren Applewhite of Jackson, Mississippi.

In January of 1968, George left for Officer Candidate’s School. Upon graduating in March, he was stationed in Selma, Alabama for Flight School where he graduated in 1969. His first assignment after Flight School was at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. There he taught officers to fly the T-28 as part of the Vietnamization Program. George served two tours in Vietnam after Keesler. Between tours, he spent time as a T-38 instructor and taught Karate as he was a black belt. While serving in Vietnam and stationed in Thailand, he supported local students by providing them with supplies for school and became a champion dirt bike racer. In 1975, he was a flight instructor for the Khmer Air Force. As an instructor pilot he instructed and graduated pilots from 9 free world nations.

In 1978, George began flying with the 172nd Military Airlift Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard. While there he graduated from Air War College, Airlift Operations School, and the US Air Force Soviet Awareness Program. It was through his work in airlift operations that he participated in the crucial development of combat tactics for the airlift community. His contributions helped in the establishment of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center that trained air crews for the Military Airlift Command, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and the Marine Corps. In 1988, while studying at Vandenberg Air Force Base for the Reserve Components National Security Course, his committee was chosen in competition out of 14 others and selected to represent the student body in front of the National Defense University acting as senior members of Congress. In 1984, his team won second place in the Volant Rodeo Tactical Airlift Group. George served two tours in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In 1995, he retired after 27 years of service having logged some of the highest number of flight hours at the time. During his career he was awarded numerous medals and recognition for being a no nonsense leader who fearlessly took care of his crews. George was regarded as being a unique and gifted officer who does everything well and with style. He earned certifications as a commercial pilot in both single and multi engine planes. While in retirement, he was a proud member of the Hurricane Flight 40 Keesler Air Force Base chapter of the Order of the Daedalians.

George is survived by his wife, Paula Brumfield Fondren; his son George Willis Fondren (Lacey) and his daughter Kayla Fondren Applewhite (Breland) and his five grandchildren George Brooks Fondren, John (Johnny) Phillips Fondren, Axl Durr Applewhite, Asher Willis Applewhite, and Arabella Yvonne Applewhite. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who fondly called him “Uncle George.”

His family would like to thank the dedicated men and women at the Mississippi V.A. Nursing Home for the loving care they provided. They were his angels. We would also like to thank them for their outstanding leadership and creativity during the Covid pandemic.

The visitation will be Saturday, August 27, 2022, from 12-2 PM at Parkway Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2 PM. Burial will be at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that you please make donations in check form to:

MS State Veterans Home-Jackson

Lt. Colonel George F. Fondren, Jr. Memorial

4607 Lindbergh Drive

Jackson, MS 39209

Attn: Nursing Home Administrator