Merrick

Paw-Paw loved Tabasco

"I'd do anything to be your hero," sings The Steps in their song "Hero." When I hear this song, I immediately think of my hero, my Paw-Paw. He did everything imaginable for my cousins and me. He would help out any way that he could, whether it was helping with homework, or coming to dance recitals to show how much he supported and cared about me. Not only was he helpful, supportive, and caring, he always found a way to make us laugh. He was always walking around with a grin on his face, and a trick up his sleeve. He did everything from "stealing our noses," to "pulling his thumb off," and of course, it always worked.

Paw-Paw, left, and his brother June, right

Merrick "Sonny" Fontenot was born on March 24, 1933, in Port Bare, Louisiana, into a Cajun family. He was the youngest of seven children: five boys and two girls. When he was only twelve years old, he, his two sisters, and his mother came down with tuberculosis. He alone survived. Learning to cope with the loss of his mother and two sisters taught him to appreciate every day of life.

When I think of Paw-Paw, I immediately think of strength and perseverance. In 2001, he was diagnosed with cancer. During the next two years, he had many surgeries that eventually led to the removal of his bladder, and chemotherapy as well. He fought his cancer for four years, even though the doctors said he would not make it that long. He was always optimistic and hopeful, and never gave up.

Paw-Paw was also a veteran of the Korean War. He operated the sonar on submarines. To me, that shows that he had a great deal of bravery. I can only imagine the courage it must have took. Not everybody is courageous enough to work on a submarine during a war.

On March 20, 2005, Paw-Paw passed away, but he will always be my hero. I can just hear him saying, “Aw, you’re just sayin’ it ‘cause it’s true.”

Paw-Paw and Maw-Maw on their 50th Anniversary