Richard R. Ponce, 83, of St. Petersburg, FL passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, FL.
Born in Tivoli, TX, he moved here from Lorraine, OH in 1963. He was owner of several Business Machine Shops including Dick’s Typewriters & Business Machines in St. Petersburg, FL. He was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Stinkers Club, and was a volunteer with Boy Scout Troup 321. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and his family.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Vicki; two sons, Mark of Seminole, FL and Gilbert X. of St. Petersburg; three daughters: Leticia Oleksy of Gainesville, FL, Yvonne Ponce and Theresa N. Ponce, both of St. Petersburg; three brothers: Roger of Austin, TX , Marcos “Sonny” of No. Manchester, IN, and Raymond Ponce of Refugio, TX; seven sisters: Beatrice Ponce, twins Bernice Reyes and Helen Delaney, Noemi Limon and Hope Ponce, all of San Antonio, TX, Mary Evelyn Cantu of Houston, TX, and Gloria Sasser of Chipley, FL; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
A graveside service with military honors will be presented at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 1st at Bay Pines National Cemetery, Bay Pines, FL, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines 33744.
Mi querido Ricardo descansa en paz
You are loved beyond measure…happy fishing and rest in peace ….you have served your country your family and your community….God Bless you
Rest in Peace Dad. When I think of you I think of our youth spent fishing and exploring Florida. I remember the drives to all the rivers and sinkholes and the little restaurants along the way. Thank you do much for all you did for your family. you will be missed. Love Tish
Thank you for bringing your loving children into this life and for your dedication to God, your wife and family, and this great nation. I am blessed to have crossed life path with your loving and caring daughter, Yvonne.
Sincerely,
Elysia J Watkins
Sorry for your loss.We have special memories of Uncle Richard, who was my father in laws brother, Raymond Ponce.My you find peace and comfort knowing that he will always be your special angel .
Thomas&Sheryl Ponce
Raymond&Gloria Ponce
Although I never had the chance to meet you.. I have heard wonderful things about you. Thank you for your service to our country and your family.. You have such a wonderful daughter in Tish.. Rest in peace.
Tish, so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is just hard, no matter when. Miss you. Marny
To the Ponce family. Ron and I are so sorry for your loss. We remember the good times that we had together and all of the fun trips we took. You are in our prayers.
Words are so inadequate at a time like this! Please know that each of you are in our thoughts and prayers! We pray that God gives each of you that sweet peace that surpasses all human understanding! Love and blessings to you all! Andy, Diane and Brody
I remember uncle Richard fondly the times with uncle David and all of us kids full time and great memories my prayers for the whole family
I met Richard through my brother David Lane. They were the best of friends. He was a great friend Had some really good times when Richard , Dave and I and our families got together. All the best to Vicki and the family. I remember you all fondly. Semper Fidelis Bro.
Noelle – Barry and I send our condolences to you and your family. You are in our hearts
Aunt Vicki,
Our hearts break for you. You have been a beautiful, loving wife “till death do you part”. Along with my wonderful mother-in-law you are an inspiration to our marriage and superb example of what it means to love, cherish and forever serve the one God chose for you, even unto death. Your constant vigil with our beloved Uncle Richard these past several years truly defines what it means to take care of each other always. He is shining with his silly smile and contagious laugh right now, sending down comfort and peace. We all know he’s in a better place but we also know the heartache you feel in losing him. Just know we love you and are praying for you and all of his children who mourn the loss of their father. God bless you Aunt Vicki.
Richard will forever be in my heart, Our long phone conversations the occasional stop at each others home to talk about the kids, life and the avocado tree he wanted me to never cut. Let it get 100 feet tall that’s what he said I thought he was really helping me with great advice. Until a bad storm came and avocados bombed all my neighbors oh yes he really enjoyed calling and asking about the tree after that storm. Richard was a man full of laughter and love a great man for my daughter to grow up knowing and having involved in her life he really showed all the kids what it meant to be a loving family man. Gilbert my heart hurts for you and your family you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Please take some comfort in knowing all the lives your father has touched and he has left a little piece of himself with us all. (FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS)
Dear Richard,
Though you were not really my father, you always treated me like a daughter and even allowed me to call you “Dad”. The love and friendship that you have given me over the years are immeasurable. I am so blessed to have had you in my life and to have made the special bonds with your beautiful family, Yvonne, Mark, Theresa Noelle, Vicki, Gilbert, and Tish. My memories of you will be cherished forever and I will always remember your jokes, your humor, your beautiful smile. May our spiritual paths cross again in the circle of eternal life.
With much love,
Paula
Dear Richard:
I am grateful for the experiences and the laughter we shared. You enriched so many lives with your humor and wisdom. I look forward to our paths crossing again. Peace and light to your family. Brenda
Aunt Vicki & Family…..After the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto are the happy memories that we’ve shared with our loved ones who have passed, this is what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on, through us. Uncle Richard, I have some beautiful memories of you & promise to share them with your Family to help honor your Life Well Lived. Know you’re infectious smile lives on in Heaven. Until we meet again Tio…..♡ ya!
I knew Richard since 1973 just started working for IBM was friends long time last time I saw him in 2001 talk 2003 I had tried to find him several times. I came across this article and was very saddened by the news of his passing.