Eric Mark Fontenot

Opelousas, La.- A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Eric Fontenot will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024, at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. Father Neil Pettit will celebrate the Mass. 

Eric Mark Fontenot, a native and resident of Opelousas, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024. Born on August 11, 1946, he was raised at Ringrose Plantation in Opelousas, Louisiana. He was a graduate of De La Salle Christian Brothers in Lafayette, Louisiana, class of 1964. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science in 1970 from University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

After graduating, Eric lived in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he worked for the state and spent his free time celebrating the city’s culture. He later took the trip of a lifetime, riding his motorcycle through South America where he explored several countries. He settled in Lima, Peru, where he lived for a time and taught English at a business school to bilingual secretarial students. In 1978, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met his wife, Margie. The pair married on August 11, 1979, and raised their family in New Mexico before returning to Louisiana.

He leaves behind a legacy defined by his commitment to public service and helping the people of his community. He retired after working for 34 years with the federal government in the Social Security Administration. After his retirement, he began a second career as a sales associate with Walgreens where he worked for nearly a decade.

In remembrance of Eric’s life, let us celebrate his unwavering love for his family, his dedication to the people he served, and the countless memories created during his time on this earth. May he rest in peace knowing that he was cherished by all who knew him.

Eric is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Margaret McQuerry Fontenot of Opelousas, Louisiana; his sons, Samuel Lujan of Cottonwood, Arizona; and Kenneth Fontenot and wife, Sarah Blanchard of New Orleans, Louisiana; daughter, Vera Lujan of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brothers, Joseph L. Fontenot and wife, Linda of Daphne, Alabama; William A. Fontenot and wife, Mary of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Frederick A. Fontenot and wife, Paula of Lafayette, Louisiana; two sisters, Caroline Goodman of Lafayette, Louisiana; and Marie Porche and husband, Edward of Mandeville, Louisiana; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Ronald Lujan and Nicholas Fontenot; his parents, L. Austin Fontenot, Jr. and Ruth Robertson Fontenot; and two sisters, Frances Giles and Lilias LeBlanc.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.