Mr. Dewey Fontenot Jr.

Dewey Fontenot, Jr. was born on February 3, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dewey Sr. and Mary L. Fontenot. The second of seven children, he was deeply loved by his mother and greatly admired by his father, whose name he carried. The family later moved to historic Prairie View, Texas, after his father accepted a professorship at Prairie View A&M University. From an early age, Dewey showed remarkable curiosity and academic brilliance. He graduated with highest honors from Waller High School and received scholarship offers from universities across the country, including Purdue University.

Driven by a desire to make a difference, Dewey pursued medicine with the dream of becoming a doctor and curing cancer. He began his studies at Purdue University, later was recruited by the University of Southern California for its law program, and eventually returned to Prairie View A&M University to continue his education. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, he later became a restaurant owner. Though he did not become the physician or lawyer he once envisioned, his commitment to helping and uplifting others remained constant throughout his life. He faithfully supported the Prairie View women’s basketball team and never missed a game—home or away—for his younger brother Fronsoir “Fran.”

Dewey was the proud father of three children: Keisha, Kerri, and Brandon. Though he did not always express his feelings openly, his love for them ran deep, and he took great pride in their accomplishments. He watched with profound joy as Brandon played in his high school state championship football game, saw Keisha’s first major photo shoot with the admiration of a father witnessing a star, and celebrated Kerri’s success as a beautician.

Dewey passed away on March 14, 2026. He was preceded in death by his father, Dewey Sr. (d. 2008), and sisters Cottener (d. 1964) and Cattena (d. 2022). He is survived by his daughters Keisha and Kerri, his son Brandon, grandsons Brayden and Karson, his loving mother Mary, and his siblings Mona, Ricky, Fronsoir (Robin), and Florunteno (April), along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who will forever hold his memory in their hearts.