Claude “C.J.” Fontenot, a Kinder council member, died Friday at the age of 77.

Fontenot was serving his third term as councilman-at-large on the town council after first being elected in 2010.

The council has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, to appoint someone to finish his current term, which ends in December. A special election will not need to be called since the council’s regular elections are slated for November, according to town attorney Michael Holmes.

“He was a very dedicated, compassionate man,” Mayor Wayland Lafargue said. “He was always worried about our citizens and getting things done for the town.”

“He had been sick for the last few years and taking dialysis three times a week, but he was always there attending the meetings, wanting to help and to be a part of the town. He’s going to be dearly missed, not only by our council, but for the citizens of Kinder.”

Councilman Christopher Fontenot, who ran unsuccessfully against Fontenot before being elected to the District 3 seat, said he considered C.J. a friend who was well known and respected in the community.

“He was devoted and cared about Kinder and its citizens,” Christopher Fontenot said. “He wanted to improve things and make Kinder a better place. He will be missed by the community and I will miss him as a friend because I learned a lot from him. He was also sharing his experiences with others.”

During his tenure, Fontenot served as park commissioner for the last two terms and was the streets and drainage commissioner during his first term of office.

Fontenot was a lifelong resident of Kinder and a National Guard veteran.

He retired as a plant operator at PPG after more than 30 years of service. He also served as a substitute teacher, bus driver for the Allen Parish School Board and was a youth baseball and softball coach.

Visitation will be 5-9 p.m. today, May 3 at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Kinder with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday until service time at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.