James Mark Fountain

Mark was born June 16, 1965 in Lufkin, TX; he was adopted by Bobby and JoNell Fountain from an orphanage in Nacogdoches. Mark, along with three siblings, grew up in Silsbee where he was a life-long resident.

Mark graduated from Lamar Institute of Technology with a degree in Instrumentation, however, as many of you may know, he was a jack of all trades. In addition to his expertise in instrumentation, Mark could handle task thrown his way, whether it be electrical, carpentry, mechanical, or even driving a truck cross-country…you name it, he could do it!

Along Mark’s path, he had relationships that mended into friendships and some that taught him the pain of surviving grief. Mark was married to a sweet soul that was able to calm his tail down a bit, teach him how to entertain a house full of grandbabies, and even be turned into an extreme dog lover!

Mark was the father of three children, each of whom he loved whole heartedly; he came to be the most loyal and loving parent over the years. He was there for them, day or night, across the ocean, or in another country…he was always only a phone call away to rescue them from anything that may have come their way! Mark would have never let anyone get away with speaking ill of any of his loved ones; you may have received an earful if you did.

Out of all the roles Mark may have held throughout his life, Peepaw to his grandchildren was his most cherished. He pushed through any health condition or pain he may have had to make to every game or party. Mark loved the outdoors and never missed an opportunity to spend long weekends at the deer lease. Mark also loved sharing his vast extensive knowledge and would take any opportunity to “teach” anyone how to do something vs “showing” you how to do something; he took pleasure in those teaching moments.

Mark had countless friends and acquaintances; he was well known and easy to befriend due to his “Servant’s Heart” that the good Lord blessed him with. I am positive that almost every person in this room can think of a scenario where he dropped everything to come and help you! Mark could navigate you anywhere in the U.S. or help you with your kids Algebra homework over the phone…before iPhones and Facetime I might add. He gave all he could without expecting anything in return. If you judged character by appearances, you may have passed him by, but what a jewel you missed out on!

If you knew Mark at all, you know he must have been one of the largest contributors to the multi-billion dollar net worth of Marlboro Cigarette Company…however; he was recently trying very hard to quit. They may miss ole Mark just as much as we will!

In case you were not aware, Mark had more hospital visits than most normal people in South East Texas; we often made references to him as a cat that had nine lives. He beat death more than any human known to this area until God called him home on September 23^rd with one his most treasured loved ones by his side and just having left one of his happiest and most peaceful places this side of Heaven.

Mark’s daughter has a text from him from about a year ago stating “I want an upbeat and simple funeral…not one of those sappy sad ones”! Well…we tried, not sure we succeeded. When you love hard… you grieve hard! We love you Mark…till next time!

He is survived by his wife, Penny Fountain; children, Mandy Eddins and her husband, Roy Chad, of Colmesneil; Chris Treece of Moss Hill; and Cody Fountain of Silsbee; grandchildren, Conner, Kingsley, Aubrey, Honor, and Zailey; and siblings, Jolee Fountain and Susy Fountain of Silsbee. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, John Kent Fountain.

A gathering of Mr. Fountain’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His interment will follow at Eddins Family Cemetery, Jasper.