100-Year-Old Louisiana World War II Veteran Prigeon

A Louisiana World War II veteran who proudly served his country during one of history’s most pivotal conflicts has died.

Prigeon Fontenot Sr. of Rayne passed away Friday, July 3, at the age of 100.

Fontenot served just under two years in the U.S. Army with the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion of the 9th Armored Division. During World War II, he was deployed to France, Belgium, and Germany, where he served as an ammunition carrier.

A native Cajun French speaker, Fontenot was also able to use his language skills to help communicate with French civilians and allied forces during the war. He received an honorable discharge in April 1946.

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His daughter, Bernice Fontenot Dominique, remembered her father as a kind, loyal, and devoted family man who taught his children the value of hard work and personal responsibility. She also said he had a lifelong love for animals, having grown up around horses, chickens, pigs, cattle, quail, and guinea fowl.

Visitation will be held Monday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne. A rosary is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, followed by a funeral Mass at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Source: Gossen Funeral Home obituary.