August 27, 1931 – September 13, 2019
On September 13, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Charles Bedford Ponder, 88, passed away peacefully at home. Charles was born in Bartlett, TX on August 27, 1931.
As a country boy with few resources he learned the value of hard work and eventually commuted to Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1952. He earned a Masters in Accounting from Texas A&M University in 1955 and became a Certified Public Accountant. In the summer of 1961, he met the love of his life and his future wife, Mary Elizabeth Russell. They were married in December, 1962 at All Faiths Chapel on the campus of Texas A&M. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Patti, they moved to Midland, Texas where Charles began his career with Universal Resources Corporation (URC), an independent oil and gas company. Their second daughter, Lynn, was born in Midland, and in 1970 they moved with the company to Dallas where they spent the next 38 years. Charles retired from URC in 1988, having served the last several years as the President and CEO.
Charles adored his wife and family and supported them wholeheartedly. He was proud of Mary’s success as a tennis player and later became an avid fan of his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors, frequently travelling to cheer them on or watch them perform. In retirement he became an avid golfer and was proud to be a member of the Sons of the Republic. Over the years he generously helped countless individuals and community groups he served with his financial expertise and general wisdom.
He will be deeply missed by his surviving family including his wife Mary Ponder; his daughters and their spouses: Patti and Roger Edgar, and Lynn and Brian Moore; his grandchildren Lauren Briseño and husband Esteban Briseño, Clare Edgar, Corinna Edgar, Ethan Edgar, Zachary Moore and Sydney Moore.
A service of remembrance and celebration will be held Thursday, September 19 at noon with a reception following at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Christ United Methodist Church of College Station, Texas or the Salvation Army of Bryan, Texas.
Please share your memories and stories of Charles Ponder on his tribute page at www.callawayJones.com
Charles contributed so much to our neighborhood. He served as an officer in our Home Owners Association. He was so willing to give of his time and talents to improve and protect our quality of life. We particularly enjoyed working with Charles in that he could be counted on to complete his task in a timely and efficient manner.
Charles will be missed.
Thank you Charles. May GOD bless you.
He loved his neighborhood, and we are so thankful that he and Mom could live in such a great community. Thank you for your kind words.
Patti Edgar
I Erin Knight send my condolences to the family of Mr. Charles Ponder the lil short period of time I got to spend with him talking & chatting up a storm(lol) sharing stories of our kids and family and life & being his caregiver was such a pleasure & thank you to the family for choosing & trusting me to be his cargiver I will miss him dearly everytime I pick my phone up I think of him calling my phone a lil gadget .
Erin, we are so grateful for your service to our dad and happy to have had you as a part of our family for a short time! Thanks for loving our family and especially my dad so well.
With deep gratitude,
Patti
Mary and family,
Bob and I enjoyed being with Mary and Charles for many years. Mary and I would be involved in Betty Brinson Johnstons Bible Studies and dinners and Bob and Charles enjoyed being together. They were a loving couple we loved being with.
It began in the early 1980’s until they moved from Dallas. Praise God, we know where they are and the peace they’re in. Thank you, Lord for our friendship.
I love you, Mary.
Sandi Hammitt
Charles was a high school classmate of mine at Bartlett High School, class of 1948. Haven’t been in touch for years, and just happened to learn here of his passing over a year ago. So sorry that I didn’t contact him in these last few years. Sad knowing that he is gone, but only to his rewards. I would love it if Mary happens to see this, if she would contact me at ewhelms@sbcglobal.net. My wife Norma and I now live in Belton.