Mr. Frank Dudley Fondren was born in Hardin County on July 29, 1917, the son of the late Charlie and Maggie Durham Fondren. He was united in marriage to Carrie Mae Young on December 24, 1938, and she preceded him in death on February 19, 2010.
Mr. Fondren served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, serving on the USS Bogue for three years, as a Lieutenant 3rd class.
Mr. Fondren lived in Hardin County all of his life and was employed as a cross-tie buyer for the Gross and Janes Cross-tie Company for twenty-five years. He also worked for the Hardin County School System as a school bus driver for fifteen years and he was a farmer all of his life. He served as a director of Hardin County Farm Bureau and was a member of the Sharon Baptist Church in Savannah, Tennessee. He loved to work in his garden and yard.
Mr. Fondren departed this life at the Hardin Medical and Rehabilitation Center on July 26, 2013, at the age of 95 years, 11 months, and 27 days.
He is survived by a son, Mr. Frank Donnie Fondren of Savannah, Tennessee; and one brother, Ancil Fondren of Forth Worth Texas; and one sister, Virginia Morris of California.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a grandchild, Tracey Fondren Bain Gardner; two sisters, Gaston Fondren Love and Thelma Morton, and three brothers, Joe Bundy Fondren, James Fondren and an infant brother.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1207, Savannah, Tennessee 38372.
