TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La.

OBITUARIY for PONDER, JIMMY, SR.
  
Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Source: Thibodaux Funeral Home, Thibodaux, La.

Died: Saturday, November 19, 2016

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PONDER, JIMMY, SR.
April 19, 1937 - November 19, 2016

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Jimmy Nolan Ponder, 79, a native of El Dorado, Arkansas, and resident of 
Thibodaux, Louisiana, died November 19, 2016.

From humble beginnings in rural Arkansas, Jimmy N. Ponder believed in 
education. Using a band scholarship to spur his studies, he obtained a B.B.A. 
degree from Ole Miss, a master's degree from Loyola University, and a PhD from 
the University of Arkansas. He became a professor at Nicholls State University 
in 1968 progressing through the ranks and becoming the head of the Accounting 
Department at Nicholls in 1973, until his retirement in 1996. In 1970 he passed 
all parts of the CPA exam in one sitting and was the founding member and 
president of the South Central Chapter of the Society of Louisiana CPAs. He 
served as chairman of the Louisiana Society of CPAs Committee on Education, 
Industry, and Government for three years and remained active in the 
organization. His greatest achievement was raising and watching his five 
children succeed in life. He was proud to serve his country in the army during 
the Berlin crisis of 1961.

He was a licensed CPA since 1970, and president of his own accounting firm. He 
enjoyed many years working in the Houma-Thibodaux area with mostly the dental 
and medical field. He designed and implemented the first microcomputer lab in 
the College of Business at Nicholls in honor of his deceased wife, Marilyn 
Gaubert Ponder. His career at Nicholls extended almost 30 years, and he became 
professor emeritus in 1997. Faculty, students, and clients respected his 
honesty and compassion.

In later years his loves and passions were spending time with his kids and 
grandkids, playing golf, food, and serving as a director for Coastal Commerce 
Bank/Louisiana Community Bankcorp, Inc. He continued to work after his 
retirement from Nicholls for his son at Headache and Pain Center, was 
Administrator of Day Surgery, Inc. and One Day Surgery, LLC. He loved people, 
was known for his larger than life personality, and was always a favorite with 
anyone he met.

He is survived by his five children: Jeanne Marie Ponder, Jimmy N. Ponder, Jr. 
and wife Brandie, Marilyn 'Mimi' Louise Wilson and husband Paul, Mark 
Christopher Ponder and wife Kathryn, Michael James Ponder; his sister Sara 
Raines and husband Doug, fiancée' Katherine Normand, six grandchildren and one 
step grandchild: Isaac, Annie, Mia, Ava, Jack, Annie, and Mary-Frances, and 
numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Gaubert Ponder, grandson Benton 
Peregrin Ponder, parents Tyrol Joy and Ruby Marine Ponder; three siblings; 
Bobby Ponder, Billy Ponder, and Betty Sue Stinson; and his niece Kathy 
Szumachowski.

A visitation will be held in his honor on Wednesday, November 23, at St. 
Genevieve Catholic Church, Thibodaux, LA from 9:00 am until the Mass of 
Christian Burial. 

The burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Thibodaux, LA.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Jimmy N. Ponder Memorial 
Scholarship at Nicholls St. University.

US Army
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