After a long and full life, Bobby Ray Ponath of Flower Mound entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on January 1, 2021 at the age of 92. He leaves behind his two children, two grandchildren and a great granddaughter. Bob was born on June 27, 1928 in Bonham, Tx to father Helmith Otto Ponath and Mother Thelma Jewell Allen, who both predeceased him. He grew up in a loving family with his mother, stepfather Floyd Dinwiddie, two brothers and one sister. Bob joined the Army Air Corp at a young age post World War II. In 1952 he joined the Army, where he served his County proudly in the 756 Field Artillery Battalion in Germany. Bob married the love of his life, Mary Merle Franklin, on April 17, 1948 in Bonham, Texas. They lived in Bonham for many years before settling in Irving. There Bob and Mary lived and raised their two children Paul and Celia. Bob was a driven professional with an unmatched work ethic. As a young man he started working for Texas Power and Light in 1948 and put himself through college to earn a BA in Business Administration from the University of North Texas in Denton. Bob continued his employment with TXU for over 45 years, climbing to Assistant Superintendent in the Irving Office. Bob had many passions during his lifetime. He was an avid cowboy and loved the rodeo. Bob preferred bare back horses and bull riding, winning many buckles and saddles during his time in the rodeo circuit. Bob also loved flying. He earned his pilots license in 1949 and also became and instructor. He and his brother Frank built three planes, a Piper Cub J-3, 7AC Champ and a Luscombe 8E. Bob had his pilots license well into his eighties. Bob was also an ordained minister. He pastored at several small churches in north Texas including the Sandy Baptist Church in Mulberry, Texas and the Harvey Street Baptist Church in Gainesville. Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mary brothers Frank and Bill, and sister Ann. Bob is survived by his two children, Paul and Celia, their spouses Aaron and Eugene, his granddaughter Amanda, grandson Christopher, great granddaughter Charlotte and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday January 12th from 6 to 8 at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home in Irving. Bob will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving on Wednesday, January 13 at 11:00 am. The family would especially like to thank the staff of The Oaks at Flower Mound and Ardent Hospice for their constant care and love. Flowers can be sent to the Funeral Home or donations made in Bobs name to the American Cancer Society. SERVICES

Visitation

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home Chapel 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Graveside Service

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 11:00 AM

Oak Grove Memorial Gardens 1413 E. Irving Blvd. Irving, TX 75060