OXFORD — Mack Wayne Fondren, 94, retired superintendent of education with Union Public Schools, died April 28, 2018, at his residence in Oxford.

Visitation will be 1:30 until 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Oliver Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel with burial at West Shady Grove Cemetery in Webster County. The Rev. Don Parish will officiate.

He is survived by his wife, Mae Walton Hodges Fondren; a daughter, Brenda Gail Fondren; two sons, Dennis Wayne Fondren and Joseph Walton (Sandra Kay) Fondren, all of Oxford; a sister, Mescal Kathleen Briggs of Nesbitt; four grandchildren, Nicholas London Nicholson, Nigel Gatz Nicholson, Niell Jordan Nicholson and Joseph Andrew Fondren; and two great grandchildren, Dylan Nicholson and Lula Mae Nicholson.

Mr. Fondren was born Oct. 8, 1923, in Mathiston to the late James and Clemence Fondren. He was raised in Reform in Choctaw County. He attended Reform High School, East Central Junior College, Mississippi State University, and University of Mississippi, receiving degrees in agriculture and school administration.

Wayne worked in the field of education as a bus driver, teacher, coach and administrator from 1947 until his retirement in July 1976. He served as a principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent at Vicksburg, Oxford, and Union High Schools. He retired in 1976 from Union High School due to health reasons.

Wayne was part of the greatest American generation.

He entered the military in Feb. of 1943 and served in Europe in the U. S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a true American patriot who loved his country.

He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours after retirement on Sardis Lake. He knew every brush pile, stob and stump, spending many a day there from daylight to dark.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to Dr. Shaun Helmhout and Kindred Hospice Services of Oxford for their wonderful care.

Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is in charge of all arrangements. You may go online and sign our guest register or leave a message of condolence for the family at www.ofheupora.com.