Homer Gerald Ponder, age 91, was born in the Ebenezer Community in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, on January 20, 1929, to Homer Morris Ponder and Pearl McMillan Ponder.  He passed away on September, 28, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Ponder graduated from Weston High School and later received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University) in 1950.  Upon graduation, he joined the Air Force, serving four years during the Korean War – primarily at Westover Air Force Base in Springfield, Massachusetts.  After service, he enrolled at Louisiana State University where he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics in 1962.  While working on his doctorate in Baton Rouge, he met and soon after married June South of Tanner Williams, Alabama, in May of 1958.   After completing his graduate studies, the family – now with two boys – moved to the Washington, D.C. area where Dr. Ponder worked for the United States Department of Agriculture.  In 1966, the family returned to Ruston, Louisiana, where Dr. Ponder taught Economics at Louisiana Tech University for 29 years and also served as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the College of Administration and Business until his retirement in 1994. Dr. Ponder was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Ruston where he served as a deacon, taught young married couples and later three year olds in Sunday school and in his later years greeted worshippers each Sunday with his cheerful smile and warm handshake.  His hobbies and interests included gardening and following Louisiana Tech athletics.  Homer and June held a particularly sweet spot in their hearts for the Lady Techsters. Mr. Ponder is preceded in death by his parents, twin sisters Vera and Era, and sisters Jo Ellen Guffey, Beatrice Ayers, Louise Bott, Laura “Mable” Adams, and Hazel “Evelyn” Jordan.   He is survived by his wife of 62 years, his four sons, Paul Stephen and wife, Emily, of Plano, Texas; John Mark and wife, Terrie, of Carrollton, Georgia; Nathan Homer and wife Vilma of Pineville, Louisiana; and Samuel Glen of Ruston, Louisiana. He is also survived by two brothers, Edsel Morris and wife Carolyn, of Elgin, Texas, Bill Wayne and wife Nancy of Fernandina Beach, Florida; two sisters, Velda Rae Pennington and husband Russell of San Antonio, Texas, and Benola Joy Robinson and husband Jerry of Donna, Texas; eight grandsons, Daniel, Nicholas, Preston, William, Dylan, and Hayden Ponder, Zachary Wright, and Jaccob Mobbs; one granddaughter, Claire Ponder, and one foster granddaughter Ja’Nyah Smith. A graveside service will be held at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Garden in Ruston, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 1, at 11:00 a.m.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Global Hunger Relief through First Baptist Church of Ruston, to Christian Community Action of Ruston, or to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.