David W. Fountain

David Fountain passed peacefully from this earth on May 10, 2025, at his home in Thompson, MO, where he lived his entire life. He was born January 20, 1959, to Wayne and Dorothy (Werenke) Fountain in Mexico, MO. He graduated from Centralia High School, where he participated in FFA and cross-country track, qualifying for state as a freshman. He started working for a local farmer to fund his love for fast cars while in high school bringing his running career to a halt. He was passionate about cattle from a young child, he would often ride his bike to attend the livestock auction in Mexico, MO. This was a 10-mile ride on Hwy FF, not the easiest or safest road to bike. He and his father purchased their first Charolais bull in 1964 started Fountain Charolais. His passion for cattle and Charolais cattle was intense, a love he passed on to his daughter Tara. His memory of the genetics was remarkable, he would know sires and their pedigree just by seeing a picture. He began his show career when asked by Carl Ahrens to help with the show string at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, CO when he was around sixteen years old.

He was an honest, hardworking, tough individual who battled with health conditions most of his adult life, but never allowed the adversity to control his life or use it for an excuse. It wasn’t until the last few years and especially the past months he began to lose the battle. He was a practical joker and always enjoyed making people laugh. He had a vivid imagination which enabled him to tell elaborate stories, especially to his children when they were young. He was a man of few words, never boastful, but would give his opinion when asked. He loved helping young cattle producers get started in the business, giving them advice when asked and making cattle available to them at an affordable price. He would also offer to take them along with him to shows, as folks had done for him at a young age. David worked at Chance Manufacturing, always working the overnight shift to ensure he could take care of his cattle in the daytime. He was known for operating on a few hours of sleep, catching naps when he could, which maybe on a show box or during a wrestle mania. He was a member of the American-International Charolais Association and Missouri Charolais Association throughout his adult life and the American-International Junior Charolais Association as a youth. He served on the board of the Missouri Charolais Association for several years and was inducted into the Missouri Charolais Association Hall of Fame in 2022. He enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with fellow Charolais producers at various events throughout the years.

His love for his children and grandchildren was intense, his only wish was for them to find happiness in life. He would take his two oldest children, Doug and Kelli, to cattle sales and shows when they were young, but their passion would lead them down a different path. Doug loved tractor pulls, so they would spend their summers attending tractor pulls in the area and a few wrestling events. His youngest daughter, Tara, loved cattle, which led to several trips to sales and shows. They would take off every summer before school started and visit herds throughout the Midwest and northern plains. Tara would map out the trip, make the calls and David would chauffer, we would all love to know the discussions that took place in the cab of the truck. He was extremely proud of his children. On September 21, 1990, he was united in marriage to his soulmate Linda Hickam, they had one daughter, Tara. They were both passionate about cattle and spent the next 35 years doing some activity involving cattle. They would be feeding, analyzing, attending sales or taking Tara to shows throughout the United States. They joked about needing a hobby, which David proclaimed, his was fishing. They thoroughly enjoyed doing life together and couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else, although often discussed their vast different approach to almost anything.

David was a man of strong faith, and it brings us comfort to know he is now taking care of the lord’s herd with Tripp (his special cattle dog) and reminiscing with several cattleman taken before him. He will be missed by his wife, son Doug Fountain (Sarah), Albany, MO, daughters Kelli Fountain, Centralia, MO and Tara Fountain (Nick Hargrave), Randolph, KS. Grandchildren, Rett and Charlie Fountain, Albany, MO, Donevin Leonard, San Diego, CA, Brittani Leonard, Columbia, MO and Raya Hargrave, Randolph, KS. Sister Julia (Steve Berck), Uncasville, CT and Sabra (Denver) Wilson, Thompson, MO. Sister-in-law Mary (Bryan) Snyder, Columbia, MO and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Jan Fountain, Sister and brother-in-law Flo (Terry) Williams and niece Danielle Williams.

A celebration of life will be 11:00 am Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. Interment will be in the Centralia City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made to the American-International Charolais Foundation in support of a scholarship for students enrolled in graduate school in Animal Science in memory of David or to an organization on your choice that supports youth in cattle production. Condolences may also be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net

The family would like to express their gratitude for the prayers and support given to them by friends and family throughout the years, especially the past few years. We ask that you share a “David” story, laughter and special memories. A special thank you to Dr. James Fairlamb, his compassion and effort greatly extended David’s life and Dr. Paula McMurtry, who always saw in as a person not a patient.