James Mathew Fontes, age 11, passed away Friday evening, December 8, 2006 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Jamie was born on July 5, 1995 at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Wellington, KS. Jamie completed 5th grade at Washington Elementary and was attending 6th grade at the Wellington Middle School at the time of his death.

Jamie enjoyed playing basketball and was on the youth basketball team for two years. He completed the D.A.R.E. program, attended the Bridge Program with the Wellington Police Dept., was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for two years, and a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sumner County for two years. His Big Brother was Allen Keller. Jamie was an avid swimmer and enjoyed his relationship with the Wellington Recreation Staff. He volunteered at the Old Soldiers Home in Winfield, KS where he had many hours of service and was loved by many veterans.

On December 14, 2004, Jamie was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL). He fought his cancer vigilantly for two full years, having gone into remission six times to again relapse. He was scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant at the Children's Mercy Hospital after having found a donor match, but the cancer overcame him.

Survivors include his mother Shannon McGowan, of Wellington,KS; his father, James E. Fontes, of Fresno, CA; three sisters; Patricia and Allison McGowan of Wellington, KS and Jessica Fontes of Fresno, CA; maternal grandmother, Margie McGowan of Wellington, KS; maternal great grand father, Leslie Thompson of Wellington, KS, paternal grandfather, Ed Fontes of Fresno, CA; aunt, Monique McGowen of Wellington, KS; great uncles, Jim Thompson and his wife Diane of Wellington, FL, Ray Thompson and his wife Linda of Holt, MO and Marcus Thompson and his wife Denise of Hutchinson, KS; and godparents, Jim and Pat McAtee of Wellington, KS.

Funeral Services will be held at the First Free Will Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 10:30 A.M. Cremation will follow the service. A private family committal service will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. on Monday, December 11, 2006 with the family greeting friends from 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with the Jamie M. Fontes Memorial Fund. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

To leave condolences or sign our guest book, please visit our website @ www.frankfuneralhome.net.