APRIL 23, 1946 – AUGUST 9, 2026
In the Care of Laird Funeral Home
Surrounded by the peace of God that passes all understanding, Tommy “Lynn” Fountain, 80, of Melrose, Texas, passed from this life into his eternal home with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 9, 2026.
Lynn was born in Nacogdoches on April 23, 1946, to AD and Alma (Perry) Fountain. He was a 1964 graduate of Chireno High School. It was during his school years that he met and fell in love with Susan Sullivan. The two married in 1965 and spent the next 61 years building a wonderful life and a beautiful family together. They made their home in Melrose, surrounding themselves with many lifelong friends from across the community. Lynn owned and operated Industrial Electric Motor Service for over 40 years.
Outside of work, Lynn pursued many passions. He loved helping his children and grandchildren raise and show livestock—a passion he took very seriously, often working even harder than the kids. For Lynn, it was truly a labor of love for both the children and the animals.
As a wonderful and doting father, Lynn was always proud of his children and celebrated their accomplishments, from Boy Scout projects with Todd to softball and basketball games with Allison. He was an equally loving grandfather. Known affectionately as “Big Daddy,” he loved his three grandchildren beyond measure and would do absolutely anything for them. When his youngest grandchild, Callie, was diagnosed with cancer, he spent every Wednesday with her, taking her out for pizza. While he lifted her spirits and kept her laughing, she likely never realized that she was the one lifting him. That was simply who he was with his grandbabies: a clown, a nurse, a provider, and a best friend all rolled into one.
The cherry on top of his life was his two beautiful great-granddaughters. Just when Big Daddy thought life couldn’t get any sweeter, they arrived and became the light of his life for the last six years. His family will ensure they always remember his love, humor, strength, courage, and determination.
Our Big Daddy possessed many attributes that made him one of a kind. Widely known for his deadpan comedy and sharp sense of humor, he kept everyone around him in stitches and could spin an unforgettable tale. He was also known for his brute strength, once winning a competition by carrying over 400 pounds—a sight people never forgot. A naturally gifted craftsman, he could design and build anything, creating several engineering marvels and clever contraptions over the years. He even built his own house from the comfort of his wheelchair, using homemade scaffolding to lift himself wherever he needed to work.
Lynn is survived by his wife of 61 years, Susan (Sullivan) Fountain; his son, Todd Fountain and his wife, Tricia of Woden; his daughter, Allison Fountain Johnson and her husband, Rex of Center; his grandchildren, Katie Warner and her husband, Kyle of Center, Zachary Fountain and Madalyn Maher of Trophy Club, and Callie Johnson of Nacogdoches; and his great-grandchildren, Tatum and Reagan Warner. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Martinez and her husband, Edgar of Martinsville; his nephew, Jeffrey Sullivan; and his niece, Helena Ormsby.
He was preceded in death by his parents, AD and Alma Fountain; his mother- and father-in-law, Oswald and Elizabeth Sullivan; and his brother-in-law, John Sullivan.
Pallbearers: Zachary Fountain, Kyle Warner, Bobby Husband, Mark Harkness, Mark Meador, Jeffrey Sullivan, Edgar Martinez, and Jose Orellana.
Honorary Pallbearers: Danny Harkness, Charles Wayne Meador, Ronnie Strahan, Ricky Taylor and Waylon Hughes.
A visitation will be held Thursday, August 13th, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, TX.
Services will be held Friday, August 14th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. with Pastor Dale Morton officiating and Rusty Poe delivering words of remembrance.
Interment will follow at Lower Melrose Cemetery. Following the interment, family and friends are invited to join us at the Melrose Baptist Church Family Life Center for fellowship.
Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Melrose Volunteer Fire Department at 2409 CR 331, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961, who provided wonderful care to Lynn during times of crisis, or to the Melrose Cemetery at P.O. Box 630438, Nacogdoches, Texas 75963.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lynn Fountain, please visit Laird Funeral Home’s floral store.