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- [S99] Farrar Funeral Home, (http://www.farrarfuneralhome.com), 19 Jan 2011.
Marion Ponder Thomas obituary
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 2 Jun 1999.
James H. Ponder obituary
- [S1] U. S. Social Security Death Index, 414-07-5337.
Issued in Tennessee, residing in Rochester, Monroe County, New York
- [S142] Newspaper Article, The Sun (Baltimore, MD), 6 Dec 2000.
Grayson T. Ponder , a retired industrial engineer who was an expert in the field of pressurized chambers, died Thursday of cancer at his Abingdon home. He was 80.
During his 20-year career at Dixie Air Engineering Co. in Baltimore, Mr. Ponder worked on the development and design of pressurized chambers used by the Navy for underwater exploration and salvage work and by University of Maryland Hospital for medical treatment. He retired as vice president of operations in 1987.
After retiring, he owned and operated Support Services Group, a consulting firm, for several years.
He was born and reared in White Pine, Tenn. After graduating from high school there, he came to Baltimore in 1941 and worked at the Glenn L. Martin Co. plant in Middle River, building B-26 bombers. He was a manufacturing researcher when he left there in 1959.
He received patents on many of his inventions that improved quality and safety and cut costs at Martin.
Although he studied at the McCoy College of the Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Ponder never earned an academic degree in engineering.
"He achieved certification in electronics from the Radio Institute of America and repaired televisions, radios and appliances for neighbors. He did all his own electrical, plumbing and home repair work," said his daughter, Deborah Ponder Mance of Street.
During the 1960s, Mr. Ponder was a founding member of Belvedere Baptist Church. He later joined Hamilton Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder.
Until moving to Abingdon last year from Weitzel Avenue in Hamilton, he enjoyed walking through the community, woodworking and genealogical research.
Services were held Monday.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 51 years, the former Rose F. Faro; a brother, Herschel Ponder of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Marian Thomas of White Pine; and a granddaughter.
His son, James G. Ponder , died in 1989.
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