John Mason Fountain's Obituary
John Mason Fountain, 93, a native of Escambia County, Alabama and long-time resident of Theodore, Alabama, died at his home on August 21 with his family having gathered. One of the Greatest Generation, John joined the U.S. Army Air Corp immediately upon graduation from Escambia High School in 1940 and served in WWII with the Signal Corp, IX Troop Carrier Command in European Theater operations in England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and was a recipient of the Bronze Star.Retired from the Department of Defense following combined military and civil service of 30 years, John’s career spanned a broad era of U.S. military aviation. In 1940, John enjoyed joining his Army Air Corps buddies in taking open cockpit prop planes on Sunday afternoon jaunts out of Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. By 1967, he was working in Cocoa Beach, FL as a DOD contract negotiator supporting the U.S. Space Program during the Apollo race to the Moon and military launches at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Following DOD retirement, he returned to Mobile, where he continued to work at the Mobile Infirmary and Springhill Medical Center until a second retirement.Married to his cherished wife, Elinor Outlaw Fountain, in 1950, John will be remembered by family and friends for his integrity and his strength of dedication to his God, his family and his church. A member at First Baptist Church of Theodore, AL since 1953, he served as deacon and in many church offices and as teacher and mentor at First Baptist Theodore, Shirley Hills Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA and at Harbor City Baptist Church in Melbourne, FL. A quiet man of few words, he was sought by colleagues and family for his well-considered wisdom and counsel.Predeceased by his father, John Howard Fountain; mother, Eula Belle Knox Fountain, and his daughter, Karen Fountain Davis, John is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Elinor Outlaw Fountain; daughter, Shara Fountain Anderson (Stephen), grandson, Joseph Aaron Huebner; step-grandchildren, Anita Anderson Turner, Adam Anderson, Angie Anderson; step-great-grandchild, Tonda Turner; and his Williams cousins who were especially loved and considered as nephews – Dan (Elaine), John (Linda), David (Marilyn) and Richard (Terry); as well as many other family members and close friends. The family wishes to express gratitude to caregivers from Springhill Home Health and Hospice Care and Touching Hearts.Visitation will be held 10-11 AM on Monday, August 24 with services at 11 AM conducted by the Reverends David Gill and Lonnie Byrd. Pallbearers will be Dan Williams, David Williams, William Pope, Ellis Anderson, Morris Moore and Eddie Bolton. Interment will be at Mobile Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at the Serenity Funeral Home site. For those wishing to make a contribution in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Van Fund, First Baptist Church of Theodore, 7125 Bellingrath Road, Theodore, AL 36582 or to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home, 6512 Grelot Road, Mobile, AL 36695.
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