Ronald George Pond Sr.

Ronald George Pond Sr., 90, passed away quietly in his home surrounded by family members on Oct 9, 2016, having spent 33,200 days on this earth, surpassing his goal of 33,000. He was born on Nov 16, 1925, to his parents, George Stillman Pond and Leda Ashcroft Pond. He grew up on a farm in Lewiston, Utah, where he loved working with his dad. He attended North Cache High School, and later served in the military during the end of World War II and the Korean War. He served a mission in the New England States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission, he started writing LaPrele Smith of Idaho Falls. They were married April 22,1949 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and haven’t been apart since. Ron is the father of 14 children, grandfather of 77 grandchildren, and 110 great-grandchildren. He served in many callings for the LDS church, including in the bishopric twice, as a seventy, as a high counselor, and as a patriarch. He was also a temple worker for several years and served a mission with his wife in the Idaho Falls Temple visitor’s center. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ronald George Pond Jr. (Laurette); granddaughters, Meagan Kaye Pond and Alexa Rae Shaw; and grandsons, Orrin Robert Staker, Ronald George Pond III; several cows; and a favorite dog named Giget. He is survived by his wife of 67 years; his children, Dennis David Pond (Sandy), Leda Kathryn Smith (David), Dana Smith Pond (Jonette), Geoffrey Stillman Pond (Folleen), Emilie Suzanne Zohner (Ronald), Marietta LaPrele Peterson (Lyle), Rebecca Joann Staker (Robert), Rachel Lorraine Wilson (Mark), Jane Caroline Dame (Mark), Camille Rae Shaw (Rodney), Patricia Jeanne Cox (Lester), Matthew Ashcroft Pond (Kriss), and Mark Hancock Pond (Kara); and brothers, Roger Ashcroft Pond and Randall Stillman Pond. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Ucon Stake Center, 2967 E. 100 N. Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Thursday, October 13, and from 9-10 a.m. Friday prior to services, both at the church. Interment will be at the Milo Cemetery. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com