Chad Edward LaFontaine

Chad was born on February 20, 1970, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Ronald Clifton LaFontaine and Sylvia Austin LaFontaine. He graduated from Bay St. Louis High School in 1988 and from Mississippi State University in 1994 with a degree in chemical engineering. He dedicated over 26 years of his career as a professional environmental engineer to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, serving the last four years as Air Division Chief. During his career with the MDEQ, Chad shared his expertise leading many projects, serving on numerous disaster relief teams including those for Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill, and mentoring interns and new engineers in the agency. After retiring from the MDEQ, he served as the Executive Director of Metro-4/SESARM, Inc.

He loved family, Mississippi State, hunting, fishing, and sports. Chad found great joy in helping to develop the faith, character, and athletic skills of children. For most of his adult life, he taught Sunday school and coached soccer and baseball teams. They say that a good coach can change a game, but that a great coach can a change a life. In the words of one of his 11-year-old baseball players, Chad taught him pitching, hitting, and fielding but, most importantly, taught him not to look down on himself and to have confidence. There is no doubt about the tremendous impact that Chad had on others.

Above all, Chad loved God. His life was spent in service to his family and to others, living the example set by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A member of Saint Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 10216, he spent countless hours volunteering his time and talents--teaching, cooking, and serving others. His strength, selfless love, and unfailing faith are gifts that he shared with all, but most importantly, with his family.

Preceding him in death are his paternal grandparents, Clifton Owen LaFontaine and Adele Ladner LaFontaine, and his maternal grandparents, James Lee Austin, Sr. and Beatrice Chiniche Austin.

Chad is survived by his parents, Ronald Clifton LaFontaine and Sylvia Austin LaFontaine; his beloved wife of 28 years, Kim Michelle Krankey LaFontaine; his children, Chad Andrew LaFontaine (Hanna) of Springfield, Oregon, Bailey Michelle LaFontaine of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and Jacob Owen of Brandon, Mississippi; his brother, Kyle Clifton LaFontaine (Michelle); his sister, Kelly LaFontaine O'Brien (Thomas); several nieces and one nephew; and many beloved family members.

Family and friends will celebrate the Holy Mass together in Chad’s memory on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Saint Paul Catholic Church located at 5971 MS-25, Flowood, Mississippi, at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will be held prior from 5:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.

On Saturday, September 25, 2021, family and friends will honor Chad’s life and memory on the Gulf Coast with the Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:00 a.m. the Mass of Remembrance at Holy Family Catholic Church located at 22342 Evangeline Drive, Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Interment will be at Gulf Coast Memorial Cemetery, located on Longfellow Road in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and will be followed by a celebration of life at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church Community Center at 228 S. Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

To honor how Chad helped kids follow their dreams and develop their full potential, a perpetual scholarship fund in his memory will be established. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Pearl Educational Foundation for Excellence at P.O. Box 5664, Pearl, Mississippi 39228.

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