Gregory Allan Ponds

April 2, 1960-October 2, 2018

“Going up home to live in green pastures where we shall live and die never more. Even the Lord will be in that number when we have reached that heavenly shore.” — Ralph Stanley

Greg Ponds, 58, of New Port Richey, Florida, died unexpectedly on October 2, 2018. He is survived by his wife Marilyn (Smith), parents Otis and Patsy Ponds (Dowling Park, FL), and stepson Benjamin Marler (Clearwater, FL) from his previous marriage to Barbara Kaiser. He was preceded in death by a brother, David (1958), and a sister, Debbie (2008). A celebration of life will be held to commemorate Greg at Dignity Memorial Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home in Seminole, FL, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 27. Marilyn respectfully asks that anyone wishing to honor Greg’s memory do so through a donation to their local fire department or by planting a tree so that his love for nature and passion for helping others can live on.

Born on April 2, 1960, Greg graduated from Pinellas High School and joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1978. He served in the Special Forces for four years before enrolling at St. Petersburg Junior College where he received an Associate in Science degree and his EMT, paramedic and nursing certifications. From here, Greg began a career that nurtured his true calling: helping people. Over the next three decades he was a loyal and steadfast public servant, devoting himself to his community as a firefighter, paramedic and more. Throughout his career, Greg worked with the Lealman Fire district, Largo Fire Rescue (1987-2016), part-time for Sunstar Paramedics, in the ER at Pasco Community Hospital, and on the SWAT units for both Pinellas County and the city of Largo.

In fact, it was while he was suited up in his SWAT gear at Sunstar Paramedics that he first met his future wife, Marilyn, and very eloquently asked if she was into “outdoorsy stuff.” After this first encounter, Marilyn asked a mutual friend if Greg was the kind of guy it was “safe to go into the woods with,” to which he replied that he would “happily send his own sister into the woods with the guy.” But this was not just one man’s opinion — everyone who worked with Greg regarded him as an honest, loyal and dependable man. He and Marilyn married in 1995, and he had been her compass and rock ever since.

In his 29 years at Largo, Greg received his squad and fire officer certifications, was named acting lieutenant, became a state-certified HAZMAT technician and was part of the technical rescue team. While he wasn’t exactly the chatty type, he was a trusted, reliable and highly respected colleague, inspiring such nicknames as “Robo-Ponds” and “Ice Ponds.”

Outside his duties as a firefighter and paramedic, Greg was an avid outdoorsman. He had a passion for nature and spent much of his free time hunting, fishing, hiking and genuinely enjoying the great outdoors. Even when visiting his parents at the beautiful home he had helped build, he often preferred to sleep in the elevated treehouse out back. The time Greg spent camping and hunting with his stepson Ben made a huge impact on both men, resulting in many cherished stories and memories.

Often a man of few words, Greg made his presence felt through countless acts of service, gruff laughter, fierce loyalty, and a kind and protective spirit. He was the kind of guy who would give your car a twice-over before a trip and make sure you had a healthy variety of bluegrass, Zydeco and outlaw country music for the road. Greg touched many lives, quietly encouraging those he loved to always pursue the best version of themselves, and he will be remembered lovingly by his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he served.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.