Bonnie Lee Fountain passed from life November 9, 2022, in Hill City, Kansas. Born Bonnie Lee Robinson, September 29, 1930, in Denver, Colorado, to Donle Edwin and Claris (Clark) Robinson. She was the first of their six children starting childhood in the hills of Missouri and later moving to Weatherford, Oklahoma.
Bonnie was a graduate of Weatherford High School Class of 1948. She and her classmates remained a close-knit group throughout the years, meeting annually in various vacation spots where lifelong memories were made. One special memory was the invitation from astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, a classmate and lifelong friend, to attend a space launch in Florida.
She began her journey in higher education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University as a Medical Technician, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. She interned, and later was employed. at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Her love of teaching came about accidentally when she was asked to watch a class for a teacher that had an emergency phone call. When the teacher didn’t return, she grabbed a book, gave the kids a snack and started reading as she did with her siblings at home.
Bonnie’s teaching career spanned many states and grade levels, including teaching Home Economics in the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. With the help of an interpreter, she taught grade school in a multi-cultural school in Texas, and schools in Oklahoma before settling in Hill City as a grade school/reading teacher. Along her teaching journey, she discovered grade schoolers were her favorite age.
On April 12, 1963, Bonnie and Clair Eugene Fountain were married, adding farm wife to her resume. Mary Fountain, Clair’s sister-in-law introduced the couple at a card party.
The beloved Hill City first grade teacher and owner of Fountain Pre-School enjoyed using innovative teaching in her classroom. Included were live animals, a grasshopper farm, even an old bathtub as a reading carrel.
Although she did not meet the qualifications of a 20-year Kansas Teacher, several teachers were inducted into the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame due to Bonnie’s successful nominations. She served as a representative to the Kansas Board of Education and traveled to Topeka for meetings. She was also a life member of KNEA, NEA, Delta Kappa Gamma (a teacher sorority) and Daughters of the American Revolution, a 15-year member of High Plains Mental Health Board, Sunday School teacher, and 4-H leader.
Among her passions were her Greenheaded Amazon Parrots, Polito and Donald, often joking they were more important than her children. Well-known for her wheat weavings, Bonnie belonged to Kansas Straw Artists and the National Wheat Weavers Association. She attended and conducted classes for both and was honored as one of the Kansas artists to have her work displayed on the White House Christmas tree. Her works have traveled the world from Africa, South America, Japan and of course numerous local homes. As a breast cancer survivor, Bonnie grew her hair and donated 28 inches to Locks of Love for wigs.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Clair Fountain, sisters: Quembee Mary Lou Walking Stick and Sheril Jean Robinson; her brother Clark Henry Robinson; miscarried daughter, Sheril Jean Fountain, and grandson Zachary Lee Maupin.
Surviving are her children: David Fountain and wife Karen of Morland, Quembee LaDonna Garringer and husband Benton of Bogue; brothers Donald Edward Robinson and wife Deloris of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma and Max Riley Robinson of Yukon, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Brandon Eggelston Starla Eggelston, DVM, both of Oklahoma City, Johnny Levi Maupin and wife Joyce of Colby, Jesse Clair Maupin of Texas, Skylar Jo Rife of Ellis and Katie Burris of Texas; along with numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
As a tribute to Bonnie’s friendship, her high school classmates have established a memorial in her name to the Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
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