Chad Alan Ponzio

The family of Chad Ponzio would like to announce his passing on November 29, 2010 near El Dorado, Texas. An avid fisherman and hunter, Chad’s final days were spent at his deer lease. Although bittersweet for his survivors, Chad’s wishes to spend his last moments at his favorite place were granted.

Chad was born January 18, 1963 in Bryan, Texas to Louis and Charlotte Ponzio. All who knew Chad remember his humor and above all, his quiet strength. Chad had been battling cancer for twenty years. He was an active participant in clinical trials at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, hoping that by research he could help successive generations of patients. Chad’s life story was presented to the FDA at a federal hearing on December 2, 2010 in an effort to approve a drug that had substantially increased his quality of life for the past three years.

His death comes as a sudden shock, but he did not suffer. We must keep this in mind when we remember Chad, as he had battled so much before. Chad’s life has served as an inspiration to other cancer patients, as his strength and patience allowed him to guide others through their struggles. He had counseled M.D. Anderson patients from around the world, yet perhaps his most important counseling came to his family battling disease.

He is preceded in death by his father, Louis Ponzio, nephew Tommy Nickell, brother-in-law Stewart Pfeffer, and sister-in-law Valerie Hunter.

The countless stories of Chad’s vivacious personality will keep his memory alive. He will always be remembered as the funny one in the room, creating laughter and good spirits when he was around. Chad loved the outdoors, and when he was not hunting and fishing, one could always find him working in the yard or grilling on the patio. Chad would often visit the cemetery, bringing his breakfast or lunch to sit with his daddy. This is just one of many instances where Chad put family first, and he instilled in his children the importance of not taking one’s family for granted. He leaves us with these lessons and many more. Chad teaches us to live a life of humility, grace, patience, and to fight the good fight. He will be loved and missed by all.

Chad is survived by his wife of 25 years, Denise Ponzio and daughters Nicole, Brooke, and Macy; His mother, Charlotte Ponzio, sister Connie and husband John Nickell, Jr. of Clovis, CA, brother Rickey Ponzio, sister Regina and husband Michael “Mac” McDonald, and brother Randy and wife Kim Ponzio, all of Bryan; He is also survived by his in-laws, Val and Betty Pfeffer of Madisonville, sister-in-law Ann and husband Rodney Brewster of Dallas, sister-in-law Carla and husband Rick Burkhalter, of Bryan, TX, sister-in-law Debe Parker of Bryan, TX, and brother-in-law David Hunter of San Antonio, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Chad’s name to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The family cannot express enough thanks to his physician, Dr. Robert Gagel, for his continued efforts and support for the past eighteen years.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, December 5, at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan, with a 6 p.m. Rosary. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday, December 6, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.