Jerome Fontenot was one of St. Louis School’s first residents in the early 1960’s, and is now one of the Center’s most distinguished seniors.

Jerome Fontenot class photoJerome Fontenot arrived at SLC at the age of 12.  He was enrolled from January 1962 through June 1965, and can still be found in the class photo hanging in the main entrance of the Center. In 1965, his parents Clifford and Josephine, took Jerome back to their home in Romeo, MI, to live with his parents and help them on the family farm.

He describes those days with fondness,

We had a 75-acre farm with a flowing creek. I helped milk the goats, care for the chickens, collect eggs, and spread manure. My mom grew vegetables and my dad planted corn and soybeans. I even drove the tractor to New Haven Grain Elevator with loads of corn.

His family was active at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church. He and his father were members of Knights of Columbus Council #7018, attending the meetings together. “I enjoyed serving coffee during the pancake breakfasts that we hosted. I also remember going to downtown Romeo to help with the Tootsie Roll drive.”

By August 1996, both of Jerome’s parents had passed away and Michelle and Norbert Rapp took over his guardianship.  The Rapps were friends of the Fontenots, and Mrs. Rapp took care of Jerome for the next 17 years in her home until she passed away in 2013.  Next to care for Jerome was daughter-in-law Denise Rapp, who is now Jerome’s legal guardian.

I promised Michelle that I would take care of Jerome. So Norbert Jr. and I tried to find him another place to live because I couldn’t care for him anymore. Then God somehow sent me to SLC. Jerome kept telling me that they had ‘Closed the joint up.’ Then one night at 2am, I woke up and started googling.  I found SLC and learned that they were still doing residential care.

According to Rapp, Jerome was very talented and was involved in his local parish in Romeo. “he belonged to the choir at the local Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, and he even played the organ. He’s amazing.”

When Denise Rapp returned Jerome to SLC in 2015, she looked on the wall, saw his class picture from 1962 and said, “Jerome, look at this.” Jerome was in the picture on the wall, and she knew he was home again. “SLC has been a great fit for Jerome. Everyone has been so wonderful to him! He was taken in with open arms, and it gives me a sense of peace knowing that he’s being taken care of so well there.”

Jerome plays the organ during Masses at the Center. He also enjoys one-on-one sessions with the music therapist. Additionally, during Lent, he is able to attend fish frys at local parishes as a sort of taste tester for the hard-working Knights.

Jerome enjoys word search puzzles and weekly clay workshops. He and several other residents were part of an art installation at the Chelsea District Library. They made story windchimes that include a podcast of their biography. To hear Jerome’s story in his own words CLICK HERE.

Jerome represents the continuum of life for SLC during the past 60 years. He was here as a child, and through Divine Providence, he is back again enjoying the remaining years of his life.

“He was taken in with open arms, and it gives me a sense of peace knowing that he’s being taken care of so well there. We are so blessed.”  -Denise Rapp

 


 

This story was originally published in the 2020 St. Louis Center Annual Report.