Richard Tillman Fountain, Jr.

Richard Tillman Fountain, Jr., known to many as Dick, went home to be with the Lord on February 25, 2026. The beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather was 97 years and will be greatly missed not only by his family but by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Dick was born in Rocky Mount, NC on July 24,1928 to Richard T. Fountain and Susan Rankin Fountain. He graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1946. He received a BS in Commerce from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1950 and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Upon his graduation, Dick was drafted into the army during the Korean War. He served with the 45th Infantry Division in Louisiana and Japan. He then entered Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia and received a commission as a 2nd Lt. in 1952. Following his service, Dick graduated from the UNC Law School in 1956 with a Juris Doctor. He practiced law with his brother-in-law, Thomas G Dill, from 1957 until his retirement in 2001, in the law firm of Dill, Fountain, Hoyle & Pridgen.

Dick married his wonderful wife, Katherine (Kacky) Blue of Raeford, NC, during his first semester of law school. They met on a blind date while both attended UNC-Chapel Hill and were married for 62 years. Dick was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, where he served as deacon, elder and on numerous committees. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club and several bar associations. He served as a member of the US Army Reserve before being transferred to the retired reserve in 1968 with the rank of Major.

Dick loved traveling the world with Kacky, but always described his favorite place as home. He loved going to UNC football games to support his Tarheels and sat with the same group of friends for decades. He was known to his family as steadfast, reliable and was quietly very generous. He enjoyed gathering with his extended family and valued those relationships. He tried to attend every Fountain Family reunion he could.

Dick is survived by his son, Richard T. Fountain III (wife Emily), and their children, Mary Norris Tilmes (husband Matt), Richard T. Fountain IV (wife Casey), Janie Schultz (husband Andrew), Preyer Fountain (wife Maddie Grace), and Peter Fountain. He is also great grandfather to his great-grandchildren Emily, Ella, Matthew, Tillman, Evelyn, and Luke. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Fountain Paylor; son-in-law, Richard Belk; along with many nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Blue Fountain; daughter, Katherine Belk; sister, Susan Fountain Thurston and husband, Dr. Thomas G. Thurston; sister, Anne Fountain Dill and husband, Thomas G. Dill; and brother-in-law, John H. Paylor, Jr.

We’re especially thankful for the loving community of friends and staff surrounding Dick the last nine years of his life at The Cardinal in Raleigh. A special thank you to Christine Oyoo and her staff who cared for Dick so lovingly and compassionately at the end of his life and to his good friend, Mildred Simon.

A graveside service will be held at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. There will be a Celebration of Life reception at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, NC from 3:00-5:00 p.m. the same day.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Raleigh Rescue Mission or a favorite charity.

Service arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.