Prigeon Joseph Fontenot, Sr.

Prigeon Joseph Fontenot, Sr. Duson, LA - Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at a 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial at Gossen Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne for Prigeon Joseph Fontenot, Sr., 100, who died Friday, July 3, 2026 at Ochsner Acadia General Hospital in Crowley, LA. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2 Mausoleum in Rayne, LA. Rev. Bret Lee, Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Prigeon joined the Army in July 1944 until April 28, 1946 in WWII. When he joined the Army in 1944 he was assigned to the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion of the 9th Armored Division, Known as the Phantom Division. He landed in France in January 1945 and served as an ammunition carrier, moving with his nine-man crew abroad a half-track through Belgium and into Germany. His unit had just helped hold the line at Bastogne before crossing the Roer River in February and seizing the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen in March 1945, one of the war's most pivotal moments, Prigeon, a native Cajun French speaker, had been punished for speaking French in Louisiana schools, but that same language made him invaluable overseas, where he and fellow Louisianans served as informal interpreters and liaisons with French-speaking civilians and forces throughout the campaign. He was honorably discharged in April 1946. More than 80 years after helping liberate Europe during World War II, 100-year-old veteran Prigeon Joseph Fontenot, Sr. returned to Normandy, France, for a journey he never expected to make again. Prigeon was a member of the American Legion Post 77, VFW Post 9822 and St. Joseph Elderberry's. Survivors include his five children, Bernice Fontenot Domingue and spouse Mark Domingue of Duson, Ted Fontenot and spouse Martha Fontenot of Church Point, Charles Fontenot and spouse Connie Fontenot of Duson, Stanley Fontenot and spouse Janet Fontenot of Rayne, Prigeon Fontenot, Jr. of Duson, eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife, Betty Ann Trahan Fontenot, father, Isaac Fontenot, mother, Regina Credeur Fontenot, three sisters, Rita Fontenot Trahan and spouse Milton Trahan, Sr., Delia Fontenot Richard and spouse Purvis Richard, Sybil Fontenot Nugent. A Rosary will be prayed Monday, July 6, 2026 at 6:00 pm in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA. The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA on Monday, July 6, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Memorial contribution can be made in Prigeon Joseph Fontenot, Sr.'s name to Best Defense Foundation, 249 Hwy. 101, Suite 312, Solana Beach, CA 92075, (858)367-0079, Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141. Gossen Funeral Home, Inc.

Prigeon Joseph Fontenot, Sr.

November 23, 1925 - July 3, 2026