Nelson Alphonse Ponthier

Nelson Alphonse Ponthier died on March 29, 2013. Nelson was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Dorothy Aarts Ponthier, his parents, Evariste and Pearl Ponthier, his sister, Rena and his grandchildren, Susan Michelle Ponthier and Benjamin Aarts Ponthier.

He is survived by his sons, Jeffrey and wife Pat, Christopher and wife Kim, Neil Ponthier and grandchildren, Graig Ponthier and wife Shannon, Paige Faulder and husband Chase, and Amanda Ponthier, great grandchildren, Rylan, Kaitlyn, Layne, Grayson Ponthier and Reid Faulder. He is also survived by his sister, Alla Mae Thompson and his brother, Edward Ponthier.

Nelson was born in Hessmer, Louisiana on August 23, 1920. His family moved to Houston in 1929. Nelson graduated from St. Thomas High School where he played center on the 1937 state champion football team. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy after the outbreak of World War II. He later attended the University of Houston. He retired from Entex Inc. in 1985 after 35 years of service. He was a long time parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, golf, reading, cooking and he was an avid baseball and football fan.

Nelson was a loving husband and father who was dedicated to his faith and family. He was a man of honor and integrity who will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd, from 6:00 to 8 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 PM at Earthman Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, Texas, 77401. A funeral mass to celebrate Nelson’s life will be held on April 4th, 10 A.M. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Nelson always said that the happiest time of his youth was spent at St. Thomas High School, so the family requests that memorials be sent to St Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007.