H. PaPe're Austin Fontenot

A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather has completed his long journey and returned “Home” on Saturday, January 9, 2016. He was a native of French Settlement and resident of Baton Rouge and two months shy of 99 years of age at the time of his passing. A WWII U.S. Army Veteran and a decorated Expert Marksman, which he attributed to his youth hunting in the woods of Livingston Parish, who served in the Pacific Theatre. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific and Victory Ribbons. Prior to and after WWII, he worked for and retired from Copolymer, LLC. Despite his diminutive stature, he was the “Star” of the 1933 State Champion French Settlement High School Basketball team due to his outstanding quickness and athleticism. A phenomenal cook, he was known far and wide for his excellent jambalaya, pralines and “milk and wild blackberry pies.” He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Earnest Fontenot and Leontine Lobell Fontenot, his wife of 65 years, Catherine Aydell Fontenot, a son, Stuart Joseph Fontenot, a granddaughter, Cheree Catherine Fontenot, sisters, Clara and Leona, and brothers, Dominic, Isadore, Erroll and Nolan. He is survived by his son, Byron Paul Fontenot, and daughter-in-law, Jane Harris Fontenot, grandchildren, Sheila F. Napoli, Kristie Bankston and husband Ames Bankston, Michael Fontenot, and Danny Fontenot; great-grandsons, Brady and Brooks Bankston and Liam and Teddy Fontenot, great-granddaughters, Kaylee Proctor, Brett Bankston and Keeley Fontenot and one great-great granddaughter, Brielle Cheree Proctor. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 10 AM until funeral service at 12 PM. Interment will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park.