Thomas Brady Ponder

With sorrow we announce that Thomas Brady Ponder died peacefully, at home, on March 9, 2024. Tom was born in Canton, Georgia, on March 26, 1936. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1958 and earned a Master’s of Science in nuclear physics at Clemson University in 1960. Following on the heels of that graduation Tom served in the Army both on active and reserve duty for 13 years. He spent the majority of his professional career as a contracted nuclear physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Then Tom attended the University of New Mexico for an MBA. With those credentials he worked for H&R Block. Tom was a Deacon at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church. He supported numerous charitable endeavors, including Storehouse West and served as a lead volunteer at Balloon Fiesta for 15 years.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Karen Beaton, his children, Brad Ponder (Jo Cherie Miller) and Amy Fralix (Dave), several grandchildren, his sister Naomi Alexander, sisters-in-law Cathy Ponder and Meredith Beaton and brothers-in-law Bob and Scott Beaton. 

Tom will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Rio Rancho Presbyterian’s Capital Campaign or Rust’s Cancer Care Center.  

Service will be held Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 10:00 AM, Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, 1004 24^th St. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.  Inurnment will take place Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 11:00 AM, Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM 87501.