He was born in Eunice and a lifelong resident of Lake Charles. Herb graduated from LaGrange Senior High School in 1958, where he ran track, sang in the chorus, and was a member of the 4-H Club and the Debate Club. He was also a Golden Glove Boxer. He was a Master Butcher for Piggly Wiggly, then Kroger for over 15 years, then went to PPG Industries where he worked for 31 years retiring as a Lead Operator. While employed there, he was a member of the union and served on the negotiation committee. He was a member of the Contraband Antique Automobile Club and owned and enjoyed having numerous antique vehicles and motorcycles throughout the years. Herb was also an active member of the Lake Charles Buccaneers, the Lake Charles HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter, The Lake Charles Yacht Club, and The Lake Charles Boat Club where he owned and loved to sail numerous sailboats and motor boats.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Diana Fontenot of Lake Charles; his daughters, Liz DiGiglia and husband, Dr. John DiGiglia, Cindy Ottenweller and husband, Danny, and Christy Jones, all of Lake Charles; his step-daughters, Diana Carlton Nelson and husband, Dennis of Atlanta, Georgia, and Brenda Vlorie of Springer, Oklahoma; and fifteen grandchildren, Paul Burklow, Jr. (Leah), Dr. Jason Burklow, Tara Edwards (Andrew), Sara Brown (Daniel Cronan), Andie Ottenweller, Jake Ottenweller, Damond Bonin, Layla Jones, Lilly Jones, Sebastien Nelson, Kenyian Nelson, Phoenix Nelson, Nevaeh Nelson, Ezekiel Vlorie, and Xavier Vlorie; and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Bryan Fontenot; his parents, Jean Davis and Loza Fontenot; brother, Donald Ray Fontenot; and an infant sister, Genevieve Fontenot.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday, January 19, in Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Monsignor Harry Greig will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens in Lake Charles. Pallbearers will be Paul Burklow, Jr., Dr. Jason Burklow, Jackson Saucier, Jake Ottenweller, Danny Ottenweller, Dr. John DiGiglia, Luis Carriaga, and Dennis Nelson. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday in the funeral home. Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
