David Fountain's Obituary
David H. Fountain
King, WI (Formerly of Green Bay, WI) Age 89 – died on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, WI. He was born on January 24, 1920 in England, the son of Newland and Mary (Bogue) Fountain. He married Ruth Beetham on July 3, 1948 in Lancaster, WI. She preceded him in death on November 22, 2007. David is survived by three daughters; Janice Fountain of Downers Grove, IL, Lt. Col. Mary (Capt. (Ret.) Garry) Yusckat of Fayetteville, NC, and Nancy Fountain of St. Paul, MN; a son, Col. (Ret.) Walter (Carol) Fountain of Green Bay, WI; nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a special son-in-law; Col. Paul Laes of Minneapolis, MN. David was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, his parents, two brothers; Newland and John, and two sisters; Edna Kelkenberg and Frances Fountain. As a member of our country’s “greatest generation,” David served in the U.S. Army during WW II from June of 1942 until he was honorably discharged in October of 1945. He was a lifetime member of both the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the 7th Infantry Regiment organization referred to as the “Cottonbalers”. Having endured over seven months in enemy captivity, he was a humble hero to many and a proud member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization. David graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earned his Certified Public Accountant license, and then became a partner in the Jonet and Fountain accounting firm in Green Bay for over 40 years. His lifetime love of learning was evident to all; he took his family on annual vacation trips throughout the US and Canada, and, in retirement, he and Ruth traveled extensively around the world, always appreciating the culture and history of each place visited. He also encouraged others to challenge themselves academically and taught several accounting courses at St. Norbert College in DePere, WI. David was a consummate selfless servant and was active in so many service and charitable causes it would be impossible to highlight but a few. He had been active with the Boy Scouts and served on the board of the Bay Lakes Council. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his exemplary service to scouting. He was active with the Green Bay Downtown Kiwanis Club and had served as Lt. Governor of Kiwanis at the state level. He was always active in his church and served on the Parish Council of Christ Episcopal Church in Green Bay. He routinely volunteered at the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and continued this type of service at the Wisconsin Veterans Home. What some may have considered his greatest self-sacrifice, David earned his commercial bus driver license so he could drive Ruth’s Girl Scout troop on a week-long road trip to Washington, DC, in 1973. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Main Chapel of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, WI, with Father Paul Vanden Hogen, officiating. Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the Main Chapel at King, WI. In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the King Recreation Fund, WVH-King, N2665 County Road QQ, King, WI 54946-0600 in memory of David H. Fountain. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. The Fountain Family would like to express their deep gratitude to the entire staff of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King for their professional dedication, gentle kindness, and loving care.
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