James Harold Ponder, Sr

James Harold Ponder, Sr., born June 26, 1925 in Waleska, GA to John Oscar Gladys Cagle Ponder passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2010. He was briefly enrolled in Reinhardt College before entering the U. S. Army in 1943. Mr. Ponder served with a Combat Eng. Battalion attached to Pattons 7th Army. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and other campaigns in the European Theater. After World War II he continued his education and graduated from North Georgia College in 1950. Mr. Ponder worked as an Electrical Engineer for many years for both Philco and Lockheed GA Corp. In the 1970s he began to develop property and build homes in Forsyth and Dawson Counties. He served for several years as Chairman of the Forsyth County Planning Commission. He was an Amateur Radio enthusiast (W4WIG) for 60 years and a lifetime NRA member. He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Cochran Ponder; infant daughter, Judy; and his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ponder Terry and Robert Terry. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, James H. Ponder, Jr. and Penni Reynolds Ponder (Cumming),Patrick and Pam Murray Ponder (Gainesville), John Dennis Ponder (Cumming); granddaughters and grand son-in-law, Jamie Lynn Ponder, Jennifer Ponder Rollins and David Rollins (Cumming); sisters and brother-in-law, Nell Ponder (Atlanta), Linda and Terry Ellington (McDonough); brother and sister-in-law, Troy and Jean Ponder (Huntsville, AL); and several nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Ingram Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Schmid officiating. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm and Thursday 9:00 am until hour of service. Ingram Funeral Home Crematory, Cumming, GA is in charge of the arrangements.