Jules Malcolm “Cho Cho” Fontenot left this earthly plane on December 24, 2024. He was surely met on the other side by his wife, Margaret Anne Yearwood Fontenot, and a crew of pets and animals he loved throughout his life.

Born in Hackberry, Louisiana, Malcolm grew up in Grand Lake and attended McNeese State and LSU (Geaux Tigers!). He became an electrical engineer at TVA and served in the US Army Reserves. After an early retirement, he cared for the grounds at his church and worked early mornings unloading trucks for the Ladies of Charity. He loved going on hikes in the Smokies, traveling (with a bag of ginger snaps by his side), and attending live music concerts. He could often be found reading a good book by Cormac McCarthy, Annie Proulx, or maybe Faulkner. He enjoyed all puzzles and was always up for a rousing game of Scrabble or Anagrams with his family.

He is preceded in death by his artistic and devoted wife Margaret Anne, and parents Ella and Ivan. He is survived by six children: Mark Fontenot (Tammy), Denise Fontenot, Suzanne Fontenot-Williams, Anne May, Patricia Fontenot-Ridley (John Ridley), and Adrienne Fontenot (Rich Miles); four beloved grandchildren: Malcolm Fontenot (Brittney), Nathan Fontenot (Andreea Rusu), Grace May, and William May; and a couple of great-grandchildren (Julien and Margo Fontenot). He was big brother to Reginald Fontenot, Valerie Vincent, Twila Savoie, and Bristow Fontenot.

The family will receive friends on January 4, 2025, from 3-5 PM at Click Funeral Home, 9020 Middlebrook Pike, with a service immediately following at 5 PM. He will be laid to rest at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Highway.