Travis Oswald Ponder

Travis Oswald Ponder, 85, of Phenix City, AL, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Columbus Hospice House in Columbus, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm EST, on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Central Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL with Rev. Jim Caldwell and Rev. Dexter James officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens.  The family will receive friends this evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm EST at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Hunter Allen, Danny Allen, Phil Mazur, Jeremy Helms, John Lynch and Brandon Jones.

Mr. Ponder was born April 25, 1931 in Cullman, AL son of the late Carl Edward Ponder and Gertie Laney Ponder.  He served his country in the United States Navy on the USS Essex during the Korean Conflict.  Mr. Ponder received both a BS and MS from Troy University.  He worked for NASA for over 22 years, including the Apollo Project.   Following service with NASA, he worked as an adjunct professor.  Mr. Ponder worked as Voter Registrar in Phenix City, was a member of the Russell County Republican Club and a member of Central Baptist Church.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his loving wife, Clara Ward Ponder; two daughters, Melody Ponder Harden and husband Harry of Sevierville, TN, and Amy Ponder Lynch and husband, John, of Phenix City, AL; one son, Ben Ponder and wife Robin of Jacksonville, IL; one sister, Ruth Dodd and husband Huey of Dearborn, MI; one brother, Wayne Ponder and wife Glenda Sue of Arab, AL; seven grandchildren, Melissa, Patricia, Catherine, Laurie, Hunter, Jackson and Mary Beth; five, great-grandchildren, Kate, Caroline, Dagny, Harriet Louise and Elijah; several extended family members and many caring friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Baptist Church Lottie Moon Christmas fund, P.O. Box 1187, Phenix City, AL 36868.

Online condolences may be made at www.vancememorialchapel.net