Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Obituary: Louis Fondy

Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the Steed-Todd Chapel.

Louis Henry (L.H.) Fondy, 82, of Clovis, died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 23, 1923, in Slaton, Texas, to John and Sophie Fondy.

He spent his youth and teen years operating a family-owned dairy farm in Edgeton, Wis., with his parents and three brothers. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in April of 1945 and became part of the 188th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He participated in the U.S. occupation of Japan and was honorably discharged in November 1946.

He married Nina McCormack on Sept. 15, 1953, in Portales.

After his discharge, he began a 40-year career with the Santa Fe Railroad, spending the final 20 years as a locomotive engineer. He retired in 1986.

From 1988 until 2001, he spent the majority of his time in his home woodwork shop and with his wife at their Lake Conchas cabin. He spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren, sharing the art of fishing and teaching them how to water ski, family members said.

The last few years of his life were spent battling emphysema.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Joe Fondy.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Nita Blaakmeer of the Netherlands and Jennifer Smith of Denio, Nev.; a son, Les Fondy of Foster City, Calif.; four grandchildren, Matthew, Sean and Destiny Fondy and Nadine Blaakmeer; and two brothers, John Fondy Jr. of Slaton, Texas, and Bob Fondy of Plainview, Texas.

Jim Gammon will officiate with Randy Dunson assisting.

Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home in Clovis.