Obituary of Jessie Gene Fountaine

Jessie Jean Fountaine, born to Geraldine Holley and Jessie Hardin on August 20, 1971, is the 2nd youngest brother to seven (7) siblings. Jessie attended Battle Creek Public Schools where he participated in football and basketball and was known to have an awesome sense of humor and plenty of friends. He graduated with the Class of 1988 from Springfield High School. After high school, Jessie moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to pursue an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI. After a year of school, Jessie decided to move to Los Angeles, California with his brother, Mennard Kendrick, in order to pursue a basketball scholarship at Santa Monica Community College, but eventually settled in Grand Rapids Mi., where he worked with college-bound, disadvantaged youths, as a Youth Coordinator with the Grand Rapids Upward Bound program for many years. After several years of dedicated service at Upward Bound, he eventually became a Logistics Operator for the Mayflower Moving Company. Jessie’s brothers and sisters loved him dearly and took great care to ensure that he learned how to roller skate and play various sports, such as baseball, football, and basketball. He was loved by all, especially his nieces and nephews. He was the fun uncle! When Jessie was around, there was never a dull moment when he was tasked with babysitting. Jessie’s love of children eventually led him to father three children, Jatari, Deasia, and Mario. The bond between the four of them couldn’t have been closer. In 2015, Jessie realized there’s no place like home and moved back to Battle Creek where he worked at several establishments, but eventually landed at the Kellogg arena as an event planner and lastly, Musashi Auto Parts as a Sales Representative. Jessie had a great sense of humor. When hanging out with family and friends, there were always jokes that would keep everyone laughing. Jessie had impeccable style and an enviable shoe collection. He loved all genres of music; however, he was particularly fond of hip-hop music. He was a music producer with his younger brother, Michael. Jessie enjoyed watching sports. He was an avid Michigan Wolverines fan. Jessie was unexpectedly called home after a short illness on Sunday, March 20, 2022, surrounded by family. Although we are certain he is at peace, he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him and being in his presence. Jessie is predeceased by his father, Jessie Hardin; maternal grandparents Roy and Clara Kendricks; aunt Doris Hill, Uncle James Kendricks, and nephew, Ebon Gurley; fraternal grandparents, Robert Hardin and Willie Mae Hamler-Richards; aunts Alice Mae Walker, Carrie Canon, Mary Louise Tompson, and Polly Ann Flemmings; and uncles Henry Hardin, Elisha Hardin, and Willie Troy Hardin He leaves to cherish his memory, mother Geraldine (Otis) Holley; children Jatari Fountaine, Deasia Franklin, and Mario Franklin; uncles Paul Raymond Kendrick and Curtis Motley; aunts Marie Kendrick, Phyllis Motley, and Bettie Robertson; sisters Tonette Fountaine, Tamra (Elliot) Hardy, Wanda (Jeannelle) Hill, and Ellen (Kenneth) Hanna; brothers Mennard (Margaret) Kendrick, Christopher Kendrick, and Michael (Lisa) Holley, and Kevin Hardin; step-brothers and sisters, Jeanette (Steve) Witherspoon, Pam Holley, Teresa Holley, Angela Holley, Chris Dreams, Reggie (Sonya) Robinson, Ricky Holley, Robert Holley, Aaron (Amber) Cook, and special nieces and nephews, KaSheina Fountaine, Tyrone Wade, Hasha Ali Smith, Tyrone Smith; special cousin, Jacquelyn Kendrick, special friends, Dorreka Warren, Reggie Kemp, Howard Johnson, Brian Johnson, and Frank Drain; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.