John Markus "Mark" Fountain

John Markus (Mark) Fountain, age 80 of Middleburg Florida, left this earthly life on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

He was born to James Sylvester Fountain and Ruby Mae Hatcher Fountain on January 25, 1945 in Doctors Inlet, Florida.

Mark is predeceased by his parents, James Sylvester “Jeff” Fountain and Ruby Mae Hatcher Fountain; his sister, Norma Lee (Hil) Waller; brother James Carlos Fountain; and beloved son, John Marcous “Bobby” Fountain.

Mark served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era and has been married to his wife, Rhoda Sheffield Fountain since September 1, 1972. Mark owned his own logging company where he demonstrated and was respected for his dogged tenacity and problem solving in getting logs to various mills in the swamps and woodlands of Northeast Florida. The last ten years of his working career were spent in the Security Department at Moosehaven where he was affectionally known as “Father John,” because people would often come to him to discuss their problems.

He attended Green Cove Springs Church of Christ.

He was an excellent guitar player and played in the Rebel Grass Band as lead guitar player for several years. He loved jazz and blues music. He also was constantly at his art table using pen and ink and other mediums as he was an art enthusiast and studied art history covering the last several centuries.

He was lovingly known as “Papa” or “Pa” to his grandchildren, and is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rhoda Fountain (Sheffield) daughter, Alicia Fountain Faulk (William) of Bunnell, FL; son, James Michael Lee Fountain (Richelle) of Middleburg, FL as well as ten grandchildren, Johnathon (Ali), Ashley, Cameron, Billy, Brooke, Kylie, Gracey, Brody, Reagan and Layla; as well as three great-grandchildren, Noah, Emmalynn and Ronin.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Peoria Cemetery with Dr. Bob Bole and Minister Claude McEldowney officiating.