Terry Lamar Ponder, Sr.

Terry Lamar Ponder, Sr., passed peacefully from this earthly life to the next on January 13, 2023, while resting in his home after a good meal prepared by his devoted wife. Coffee and dessert awaited him, but the effects of lung cancer and its treatment claimed his earthly body.  

Terry was born June 26, 1930, to Amos Lee and Nonie Phillips Ponder, and he grew up in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, as one of five boys.  Terry was a great storyteller, and the years growing up with his brothers provided material for hilarious tales.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Terry returned to Pleasant Hill where he married Yvonne Blankenship in 1955. He worked as a carpenter in Bossier City, an oil-field worker in South Louisiana, and a shop manager of Johnston/Schlumberger in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Midland, Texas, before retiring back to his hometown of Pleasant Hill. Terry spent his retirement years using his carpentry skills to build and refurbish homes for his wife and children. He was known for his tenacity in dealing with any task at hand. 

Even though Terry attended church throughout his life, it was while living in Midland that he confessed he was a sinner in need of the Savior. He faced the end of this life knowing that his sins were atoned for by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Terry was predeceased by his parents; a grandson Terry Lamar Ponder III; and two brothers, Wayne Ponder and A. L. Ponder. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Yvonne Blankenship Ponder, his daughter Ramona Ponder Irvan with husband Ken, his son Terry Lamar Ponder, Jr., with wife Debbie, his grandson Adam Ponder with wife Katie and their two sons, his granddaughter Deborah Ponder Walker with husband Joshua. Terry is also survived by his oldest brother Lloyd Ponder with his wife Joyce,  his youngest brother Leonard Ponder with wife Linda, his sister-in-law Linnie Blankenship Diller, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation with his family and friends is Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 10:00 to 12:00 with lunch to follow at Old Pisgah Baptist Church, 15192 LA-120, Marthaville, Louisiana. The funeral will begin at 2:00, led by Pastor Dean Johnson and Bro. Richard Kaufman. Interment will follow at Spring Ridge Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.

Serving Terry as pallbearers are Clair Bryan, Phillip Jamison, Ethan Johnson, Robert Leone, Robert Lewis, Tommy Patrick, Lynn Pattison, and Mike Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Callens, Gene Craig, J. W. Johnson, Paul Patton, Doyle Stockton, and Glen Walton.