John E. Fontenot, Jr., 88 years old, of Bella Vista, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 1.  He was born on July 18, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana to John Elton Fontenot, Sr. and Cecile M. Landry Fontenot.

John received his Bachelor's Degree in Physics from Loyola University of New Orleans, his Masters Degree in Physics from the University of Maryland, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University.   Upon graduation from college, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army and went to Maryland to work in the ballistics lab.  John was in the Army on active duty for 4 years, and reserves and inactive reserves for the next 8 years.  John also worked for the Navy in ballistics and missile research.  His next career move was to work for Boeing in the space program helping to design the first stage rocket which was used to land the first men on the moon.  John was proud to say he worked on land, underwater and then in space.

After receiving his PhD, John worked at Shell Oil Company in Research and Development helping with onshore and offshore drilling.  He travelled extensively with Shell and was often used to troubleshoot blowouts.  After Shell, John went to work for NL Corporation and finally retired from Lord Corporation in Erie, PA where he was involved with designing engine-mounts for Cessna Citation X aircraft.

After retiring in 1996 and moving to Bella Vista with his late wife, Myrtle, they were members of the Church of Christ where he began teaching Bible Studies.  John loved the Lord and wanted to help others understand the Bible and learn to love the Lord, too.  He continued teaching Bible studies in several churches until 2017 when his health began declining.

John raised 6 children:  4 sons and 2 daughters plus 4 stepchildren.  More than anything else it was important to him to be an example to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and leave a legacy of faith, integrity, and proper living that they could follow.

If you were to ask anyone about John, they would tell you he was a man of high integrity, great intelligence, who loved  living his life for Jesus Christ, and proud of being able to serve his country.

John was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his oldest son, Brian (Gretchen); stepsons, Michael and Kelly; and stepdaughter, Teresa.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Barbara of Richmond, TX; his current wife of 17 years, Terri; sons, Robert (Lisa) of Conroe, TX, Kevin (Cindy) of Jonesborough, TN, and  Ken of Houston, TX; Terri's son, Todd of Muscat, Oman; daughters, Debbie Pepper (David) of Richmond, TX, and Karen Pratt (Andrew)of Magnolia, TX,  and stepdaughter, Christie Lake (Ron) of Colorado Springs, CO.  He had 21 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715 on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 1:00 PM with inurnment immediately following at the Bella Vista Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in the honor of John to Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, AR 72712, Hiwasse Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 64, Hiwasse, AR 72739, Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Road, #3500, Bella Vista, AR 72715, or Highlands Methodist Church, 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, AR 72715.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.