Never one to pass up a gathering, Edward Joseph Ponder, 80, passed away in James River Care Center on March 22, 2012, surrounded by friends, family, laughter, tears, and song. Ed was born the 10th of 13 children in a German-Catholic family, on June 9, 1931, in Apple Creek, MO, and grew up in St. Louis. He served in the Navy and was a proud veteran of the Korean War. He later met Loretta Lane, the love of his life, and they married on May 25, 1957. He graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and spent 50 years as a pharmacist. In 1967 he and his family moved to Springfield. He volunteered much of his spare time as a pharmacist for the Kitchen Clinic. He cherished an article published after he retired from that position. "There won't be another Ed," said the director. He was an accomplished jokester and loved people and their stories. A stranger never crossed his path. He was generous and gentle. He often stopped to help the stranded motorist, give aid to the needy, and asked nothing but that they someday "pay it forward." He loved to work outside, volunteer with Holy Trinity Catholic Church, of which he was a charter member. He was active in PFLAG, followed the St. Louis Cardinals and was a friend of Bill W.'s for 19 years. Ed is survived by Loretta, his wife of nearly 55 years; four sons and six grandchildren: Tim and Beth of Knoxville, TN, and their children Emma and Eli; Dan and Crystal of Springfield, and their children Shay, Pat, Noelle, and Eli; David of Springfield; and Michael and his partner John Shepard of St. Louis; brother Bert, sister Margie, both of St. Louis. He was an uncle or cousin to many and a second father to close friends Web and Adina Freeman and their children Bella and Ava. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, six sisters and four brothers. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., with Rosary at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 25 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Seminole St. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 26, in Holy Trinity Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kitchen Clinic of Springfield, MO at www.thekitcheninc.org, or Holy Trinity Catholic Church.