FOUNTAIN, Leland Herbert (Lee)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ August 30, 2007 Leland Herbert "Lee" Fountain, 86, was carried home in the arms of the Lord, surrounded by loved ones Aug. 15, 2007. Lee was born was born July 10, 1921, in Wilder, Vt., to Peter and Anna (Nyren) Fountain. He graduated with the Hartford High School class of 1941. Lee entered the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1942 and served in the South Pacific Theatre, seeing action in American Samoa, the Ellice Islands and Tarawa, spending most of his time as an artillery gunner at Funafuti. His medals included the "Battle Gold Star of Tarawa," good conduct medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal. He was honorably discharged in January 1946. Using the G.I. Bill, Lee studied to be an electrician. He also studied with Frigidaire Commercial Refrigeration in Terrytown, N.Y. He married Rachel Ethelyn Lovell in South Royaltown, Vt., in 1945. Lee worked for Covell's Painting, Goodyear Rubber Factory, Fellows Electric and the owner of Lee Fountain's Electrical and Refrigeration Service in White River Junction, Vt. He was the chief engineer of maintenance at Chandler Hospital in Chandler. Lee also worked as an electrical engineer at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital in Tempe. Lee was a worshipful master of the United Brethern Lodge No. 21 F&A.M. in White River Junction, Vt. He served on numerous church-related committees and functions at the United Methodist Church of White River Junction, Vt., and at the Kalispell First Church of the Nazarene in Mont. Lee also volunteered helping troubled youth. Lee enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching western movies, reading war chronicles and woodworking. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Anna Fountain, brothers Elwin and Colin and an infant brother. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rachel Ethelyn Lovell Fountain of Kalispell, Mont.; children Betty Lee and husband Henry Cichowski of Kila, Mont., Richard Clair and wife Sue Fountain of Lakeside and Dale Ann King of Placerville, Calif.; sister Lillian Fellows-Abbott of White River Junction, Vt.; seven grandchildren, Brandon and Tina Cichowski, Peter and Chad Fountain, Jennifer King Falca and Jeremy and Jason King; 10 great-grandchildren, Cory, Caitlynne, Nicole, Leland, Megan, Mitchell, Tanner, Asch, Allyson and Paige; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or the First Church of the Nazarene in Kalispell. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Kalispell First Church of the Nazarene, 1295 Whitefish Stage Road in Kalispell, Mont. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory handled arrangements.