John Frank Fant

Judge John Frank “Jack” Fant passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 20, 2023, at the age of 85. Jack was born in Marshall, Texas, on November 11, 1937, to Clyde Fant and Margaret Moos Fant. He and his family later moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he spent most of his life.

Jack graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in 1955, and then attended Baylor University where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1959. Jack returned to Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1962.

On August 15, 1959, Jack married the love of his life, Delyn Bishop. The two met on a blind date while students at Baylor University and were married within a year.

Family was the most important thing for Jack. He loved being a father and a grandfather and was often heard bragging to others about his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and created family experiences that included travelling in an RV across the southwest and the Rocky Mountains, weekend getaways to Hot Springs, Eureka Springs, and Natchez, weekends and summers at Wookalark Hollow (our family lake house), and the most fun Halloween and Christmas holidays. Jack was a prankster and loved Halloween, as it provided the perfect opportunity for him to dress up and play practical jokes on others.

In his professional life, Jack served as a District Judge in Caddo Parish, Louisiana for 15 years, as the General Council for Baylor University, as the Director for Inmate Legal Services with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and as an Adjunct Professor at Montgomery College.

Jack was also a leader who believed in giving back to his community. He was Governor of Boys State, Baylor University Class President, President of the Optimist Club, President of the Northwest Louisiana Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the United Fund Board of Directors of the Caddo Red Cross. He also served on the Board of Directors for Broadmoor Baptist Church, the Board of Directors for the Caddo Foundation for Exceptional Children, and was a member of the Caddo Parish Executive Committee, the Salvation Army Boys’ Club Council, and a Freemason. Jack was first lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserves where he served as the C-124 crew chief and received medals for marksmanship and rifles.

Jack is preceded in death by his father and mother, Clyde and Margaret Fant. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delyn Bishop Fant, and his brother, Clyde Fant. He is also survived by his son and his wife, Garrin and Michelle Fant of Dallas, Texas, his daughters and their husbands, Felyce and Randy Larson of Austin, Texas, Jenny and Eric Hinson of Cedar Park, Texas, and Molly and Michael Tillerson of Cedar Park, Texas, and by Charlie Robinson of Huntsville, Texas. Jack leaves behind eleven grandchildren (Rowen, Lex, Aidan, Piper, Tess, Lily, Riley, Megan, Ashley, Michael, and Alec) to whom he was known as “Poppy”. He is also survived by his four great grandchildren (Charlee, Aubrey, Olivia, and Grayson).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Fant family.