I was blessed to have met Walter personally while on the board of the CCA. It was certainly a moment and aquaintance I never forgot. I alway say, "Fish with the best and ride with the rest" Walter was certainly one of the very best! Walter you will be greatly missed by many and your efforts will continue to be measured with results well into the future.

What a larger than life man!  Although I haven't seen him in over 20 years, my family used to fish Poco Bueno every year....and those days will forever be a part of my life.  Thank you, Mr. Fondren, for those precious memories.

Dear Fondren Family, We are so very sorry to hear of Walter's passing. What a special man he was. We were an Air Force family and met him in POC when his house there was fairly new and my husband painted the bedrooms for Fran. We were invited to join in the festivities one night and experienced the kidness of the Fondren family. You all are in our prayers.

Fran,
  My deepest sympathy to you and all the family. There are so many fond memories on and off the field. 
  Vince Matthews

I remember Walter not only from Lamar and UT, but from years of growing up in Houston and summers at Bay Ridge.  I married and moved to Louisiana (thanks to Exxon) and have missed the later years.  Fran and I were in the same pledge class of Zeta in 1954.  What wonderful days and what a great life Walter and Fran lived. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Walter, Lindsey, Chase and Ryan
Our heartfelt love goes to each of you at the loss of your Dad and Granddad. I know what an adventurous, fun man he was from all the stories I heard over the years. I know his loss will be felt greatly. His and your families generosity will be felt for decades to come. We send you lots of love.
Eliza and Johnny Duncan

I was priviledged to be on the CCA state executive committee with Walter.  He was a strong and constant influence for conservation and sportsmanship and will be sorely missed.   Paul Pearce, Friendswood

Such an inspirational and loving man.  This is a life to be so proud of and celebrated.  Our dearest sympathy for your loss.

Dear Fran and Fondren Family,
I send my heartfelt sympathy to you all on the loss of Walter.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.  Walter's many fine acts of kindness and generosity will live on in perpetuity.

Man, what great memories we all had of working for and with Watler. Great fun times in Isla Mujeres chasing tarpons in back of Contoy drinking Coronita's. Salude' Mr. Fodren. Your memory will live forever.

Never met Walter Fondren but watched him play his senior year at Lamar in 1953 when they won the State Championship. Even rode to Port Arthur for the Quarter finals where they beat Pt Arthur Jefferson on penetrations in a 14-14 tie. At 9 years old, he was my idol as well as an idol to so many Houston boys growing up in the 50's. A great athlete and a wonderful individual from a great family. He provided me many wonderful memories. My prayers are with his family and my memories will be with me forever. Thank you Walter Fondren  Johnny Pizzitola, Houston, Texas

To Walter IV,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. What an incredible life he led with so many accomplishments and grand contributions. You must be so proud to be his son. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.   May God Bless you all.
Elizabeth Kennedy

I knew Mr. Fondren growing up.  I was friends with his sons and was at the Alligator Head often as we had a beach house in Port O' Connor too.  Many days were spent skiing, fishing and swimming off the Fondren's house on the Intercoastal Canal.    We had alot of fun in those days.  I will pray for you and your family at this time of losing your Dad and husband and grandfather & brother.

Carol Rocka

Fran, Leland, Laurie and others, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and I was very sorry to hear of your loss.  I know Walter will be missed by the many lives he touched and helped.

Walter has done so much for the conservation of our marine resources across the U.S.As a member of CCA Louisiana we are indebted to Walter's many years of hard work and giving our state the opportunity to become involved in protecting our marine resources. To the Fondren family our thoughts and prayers are with you.

My condolences to entire Fondren family. I thank Walter for all his great work for the GCCA/CCA. A great void has been created in the fight for proper use of our natural resources.

Fran,  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Johnny had wonderful, kind words for Walter during his lifetime, and I loved him also.  My fondest memories of him are at Mrs. Ledwige's boarding house when we both were freshmen at U.T.  Much love to you and your family,  Carole Vineyard Warren

Our condolences to the Fondren Family. Our heavenly Father will be with you all and confort you. "He will be miss".

Our deepest sympathies to you. I had a lot of respect for Walter and his deeds.

Our condolences to the Frondren family
Walter leaves us with great memories of our time spent at UT
Bobby and Judy Lackey
HOOK 'EM

Fran,

Your family is in my prayers.  You and Walter have been a friend of my family's for many years.  God bless you!

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

My heart felt prayers to the Fondren Family. I spent a many of hours in the Alligator Head Complex growing up with Bentley. My dad fished the Poco Bueno tournament several times and it has been a part of our families history. Mr.Fondren will be missed in POC.

On behalf of my father Joe M Rivera I give my deepest condolences to Fran and the Fondren family. Mr. Fondren and his family have done wonders in this world and have given friendship to my family. Mr. Fondren will be deeply missed by the Rivera family.
Our love and prayers go out to you all

Great Longhorn football player,great sportsman, familyman, friend,a one of a kind TEXAN!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU WALTER, WE KNOW YOU ARE FISHING SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN.
P.A. O'KEEFE & FAMILY

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Fondren and the entire Fondren family on the passing of a truly remarkable man. We commend him for his many years of leadership and efforts in the Coastal Conservation Association. Thank you Walter!

Walter was an amazing man and left so many of us with so many memories.  He was a great teacher and a great, loyoal friend.  I will miss him, but I will not miss being stuck out in the bay with nowhere to pee and no way to escape just one more drift....I caught my biggest red with you Walter but I wet my pants in the process.
....thank you my friend for the wonderful memories....

Fran and the Fondren family, I just found out this afternoon the loss of Walter. We have had fond memories from Lamar High school and The U of Texas and we will always remember him.  Sorry Harvey and I cannot be with you this week. You and the family will be in our prayers. Much Love, Ann and Harvey Williams, San Angelo, Texas

You will be sorely missed Walter.  Thanks for all your many good works.

My deepest sympathy to all the Fondren family.  I'll always remember learning to waterski behind his inboard on Lake Austin when we were at UT.  A great guy and super Longhorn.  Jack Daniel, Deer Park, Tesas

Fran and family,
Our love and prayers go out to you.  
Maxine McMillan Hudson and Ray Hudson

Francy,
I heard today about the passing of your daddy. I don't think I will ever forget the trip we made to Cancun with Elizabeth, Sherri, you and me when we were sophomores at UT. Your dad showed us the time of our lives! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I'm so sorry we've lost touch but wanted you to know I was thinking of you all today.

Walter hosted one of the most magical days of my life, exploring Pringle and beyond for the fist time when he got his "jet" scooter with young Walter, Rob, my Dad and me - a stupendous day of redfishing in pristine grassy flats! Prayers and well wishes to all the Fondren family. Fondly, Marian Wallace Briscoe

Dearest Fran and the entire Fondren Family. 
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to each and every one of you. May you continue to feel comforted by the love and support from the special bond of your family and countless friends. This Country and the great state of Texas has lost a Legend! We are so greatful for knowing Walter and learning from him, and know his legacy will continue thru your Family. Never the man to look for a pat on the back, for his tireless and selfless efforts in any of his many contributions both personally or professionally. 
Walter, May you enjoy blue sky's forever from above. Feel the light southeast breeze while running the flats; sun high, while poling the shorelines and sight-catching redfish in the backlake's of Port O'Connor.

Mr Walter, I've only known you for a brief time but I have been touched for a life time!!! FISH ON!!!!!

Dear Fran and family; I was shocked to hear of Walter's death today. What wonderful memories we have with Jack and he fishing and loving outdoor life. My family will never forget those times. God Bless you all. Peggy Elliott Hipple

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Fran and family on the passing of our friend Walter

Fran,what a lot of beautiful memories
you have in your 63 years with Walter, mine is out trip to the Yucatan floating through the mangroves and Walter trying to keep us all together.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Walter was a great friend, I could never repay him for the joy , that he brought to all of us. A leader, with great insight, searching for ways to make things better for our youth. I will miss him greatly. My love goes out to all of the family.   Ron Young

Walter & I were classmates at Lamar and U.T. I will always fondly remember him.  My thoughts and prayers for the family.

Fran, my heart goes out to you and your family. My prayers will be with you all. 
Beverly Cummings

I did not personally know WWFIII but my mother grew up with that family and I know of all the good he did during his life on this planet and my thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of loss. May God bless you all. John E. Burkhart iv, Victoria, Texas

Prays to the family, Texas has lost a wonderful caring Father, Fisherman, Hunter, Conservationist for fishing rights, Friends to many! You will be missed and Always thought of in Port O'Connor for all you have done for it.       Sonny Cook, Candice Cook Stryker, Jason Stryker

THE PHI GAMMA DELTA PLEDGE CLASS OF 1954 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SALUTES THE LIFE & SADLY MOURNS THE PASSING AD ASTRA OF OUR FIJI PLEDGE BROTHER, WALTER FONDREN, III.

Anthony, Robyn and I extend our condolences to you and the family. We feel honored to have known such a great and wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

We are so deeply saddened.....our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Even though I had not seen my classmate in years, I will always remember Walter as " The Golden Boy " of our class .

My sincere condolences to Fran and family .

Fran, my deepest sympathy for your loss my dear friend.

today i am thinking of fran and the whole fondren family. as i look out at the sun rise on this day. i am thinking also of the thousands of fishermen who are are watching this same sun rise and not knowing what walter has done for them. he was a friend, father figure and mentor. my prayers are with fran and her whole family; bruce link cartwright

OBITUARY

Mr. Walter William Fondren III

April 29, 1936 – January 28, 2010

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Past Services

The Family and Friends will Gather to Share Remembrances

Memorial Service with Reception to Follow in the Bagby Parish Hall