With heavy hearts the family announces the passing of Melvin “Bob” Fontenot, of New Boston, TX at the age of 91 on October 16, 2025 while in Hospice Care in Texarkana, TX.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Wednesday, Oct 22nd 4pm-7pm in New Boston, Tx at Bates-Rolf Funeral Home with funeral services being held in Eunice, LA.
Melvin is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Lena Mae Thibodeaux Fontenot, his children; Lynn Fontenot, Russell Fontenot and wife Marty, Jeffery Fontenot and wife Pam, and Kenneth Fontenot; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren; and brothers Edrick(Ed), Edward (Boy), and sister Edwina (Sis).
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, Isom and Emily Fusilier Fontenot, brothers Lessie Lee, Lionel, and Donald Fontenot.
”Bob,” worked with his family in the rice fields in Kinder, LA in his younger years. He later spent most of his career in the oil and gas industry. After leaving the oil industry, he took a part time job at a machine shop, Oil Co in Lafayette, LA. After retiring from the machine shop, Melvin and Lena relocated from Lafayette to New Boston, Texas. Melvin was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved spending time outdoors and enjoyed cookouts and singing around the campfire with his family at the Fontenot’s camp. He is remembered by all as a hard worker, loving and caring individual, and blessed with an inventive curiosity, creativity, and hands-on skill.
The family would like to share their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Autumn Winds Assisted Living Facility, in New Boston, TX, Christus St. Michaels Hospital and Texarkana Hospice Care for taking great care of Melvin.
Melvin was a skin cancer survivor and in lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who took great care of him during such a challenging time in his life.
Online memorials may be made at www.batesrolffuneralhome. com
