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DAVID PONTIOUS Obituary

DAVID FRANK PONTIOUS September 26, 1961 - October 25, 2015 David Pontious, 54, was born in Elmhurst, IL on 9/26/61, and was lost at sea on 10/25/15, while helping deliver a 48'sailboat from Morehead City, NC to St. Thomas, USVI, with a captain and two other crew members. The US Coast Guard made repeated efforts to find him using search planes and surface vessels without success. David's passion was the sea and sailing; he was an accomplished US Keelboat instructor in San Francisco Bay and had made a number of offshore deliveries in the past. He was a graduate of the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, FL, a USCG Merchant Marine Officer, bareboat charter captain, USS Certified Club Race Officer and a member of the Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club. He truly loved the sea and sailing. During his 30 years in the IT healthcare industry, he was first recruited out of Florida State University by EDS (Ross Perot) of Dallas, TX. EDS took him to Boston, NJ and ultimately San Francisco where he spent the next 25 years with EDS, Blue Shield and Kaiser Healthcare. Recently, he was employed by CareCore (now EviCore) of Bluffton. David enjoyed the clinical side of healthcare and volunteered many evenings at the San Francisco General Hospital. A consummate dog lover-there wasn't a dog around that he wouldn't stop and pet. He is survived by his parents, Marilyn and Frank Pontious of Beaufort, SC; brother Andrew, his wife, Elizabeth and two nephews, Benjamin and Christopher, from Marin Co., CA; sister, Laura Holbrook and her husband, Jeff, from Woodstock, GA; and good friend, Kathy Murray of Beaufort. There are no memorial plans available at this time. For those who knew David, just take solace that he was doing what he loved and is in a better place. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Junior Sailing of Beaufort, Inc. (501C3) 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907 or your local Humane Society or Animal Shelter.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Island Packet on Nov. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID PONTIOUS

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Nancy and Peter LaChance

November 13, 2015

To David's family -
We can not express how extremely sad we were to hear of David's passing. We met in 1993 through our work at EDS and have remained friends, even though living many miles apart. He will always be remembered as a kind and caring man with a wonderful sense of humor. Thinking of you all during this time.

E.J.

November 10, 2015

My heartfelt condolences to the Pontious family. I've known David for many years and will truly miss him.

Jenny & Doug Kuck

November 8, 2015

Dave has been our friend for many years. We'll always remember his smile, fun sense of humor and caring ways. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. Praying for peace for all of you.

Kristina Fox

November 7, 2015

My deepest sympathy goes out to davids family. He definitely kept me on my toes with his whitty personality! At his worst and at his best he had a personality unlike anyone i have ever met. He didnt like dealing with me so much during his stays in michigan but he definitely always had my respect and he was one of the smartest individuals i have met. He will definately be missed and my heart hurts at the thought of the loss.

Philippa Caro-Smith

November 7, 2015

David was a thoughtful,wise, caring individual, and so, so, funny! I smile when I remember his days in San Francisco. His passion for sailing could never be doubted. I am glad that he was able to enjoy so much of that in South Carolina. That he passed while doing what he loved has such mixed blessings. RIP David, I will always remember your spirit and kindness, and of course the bar stool at the end of the bar at the 'shoe where the problems of the world were solved with much laughter and beer.

David Carbray

November 7, 2015

I will always remember Dave's big laugh. I spent a lot of hours hanging around the 'Shoe with Dave and don't recall him ever being in a bad mood. I haven't seen him much in the last few years but I will miss him.

Terri Gurley

November 6, 2015

RIP dear David. I am so happy I was able to meet you in San Francisco and be able to enjoy your happy soul. I am so very sad that you are gone, but I know you are sailing on smooth seas and under clear blue skies. I will miss you.

James Watt

November 6, 2015

To Dave's family, you don't know me but just wanted to say what a wonderful friend your son and brother Dave was to me. We met in 1993 in San Francisco and remained friends all these years. My heart is sad at the loss of Dave but I find comfort knowing how he loved to sail and that's how his last days were spent. RIP to you Dave.

Deb Smoyer

November 5, 2015

My heartfelt condolences to David's family at this time of sorrow, may you find comfort knowing David was doing what he loved and his passion. I'll cherish David's friendship along with his kind words and encouragement, especially over this past year. David will be missed. Rest in peace and GOD bless.

November 5, 2015

Our sincere condolences go out to the entire family. David will be missed and we are thankful to have known him all these years. He was both a colleague and a dear friend.

God Bless,

Lisa & Waddie Stringo
Port O Connor, Texas (San Francisco, CA)

Cheryl Schattall

November 5, 2015

I had the pleasure of working with Dave at EviCore. He was never too busy to help me with a problem. His good humor was abundant. He will surely be missed. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Bill Ohara

November 4, 2015

David was a great soul. I enjoyed working with him at eviCore and doing floats down the river. Such a nice guy not many like him and will be missed.

November 3, 2015

Frank and Marilyn, I send my deepest sympathies to you during this difficult time.
Karen Bearden
Oklahoma City

Doug and Molly Nelson

November 3, 2015

So very sorry to hear of David's loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.

Keli Napier

November 3, 2015

My heartfelt condolences on your loss. We were previous co-workers but even after he left he always made sure to send a Hello my way, I am truly saddened and will miss him.

November 3, 2015

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope and, always know that the God of tender mercies remember your love one also.
-SJ

Woody Norwood

November 2, 2015

David was a fine friend and comrade in the sport of sailing.

Brian and Ramona Millerschoen

November 2, 2015

We were introduced to Dave last spring by Kathy and immediately felt we had met a kindred soul. We wish we had been able to spend more time with this obviously caring and loving gentleman. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Lisa Schmitz

November 2, 2015

David was a wonderful person, i had the pleasure of working with him at Carecore. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!

Nancy Verhine

November 1, 2015

My deepest condolences to the Pontious Family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. David was a sweet, kind, funny and generous man. I will greatly miss him and his friendship. Rest in peace my dear friend.

Mary Scott

November 1, 2015

David was such a joy to be around, a co-worker and most of all the greatest friend. Thoughts and prayers to you on the loss of your son and brother, he touched so many lives. I will miss you buddy...you will always be in my heart!

Bev & Dick Ludlow

November 1, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family and special friend, Kathy.

Jim Geoffrey

November 1, 2015

I had the pleasure of working with David on a project at EDS. He was a great guy to work with. He was humble and supportive of his coworkers. He will be remembered and missed.

Mindy Davidson

November 1, 2015

I am deeply sorry for your loss. Rest in peace David.

Sally Reeves

November 1, 2015

Blessings and peace to you all.

November 1, 2015

David was a light for all of us who were fortunate enough to know him. My love to you all, now and always. Peace.

Cory and Shannon Johnson

November 1, 2015

David will be missed greatly by our family. We truly thought he would become part of our family soon. He was such a wonderful giving and loving man. He would absolutely do anything for you! And the cherry on top of that is he was a "Parrot head!" Our love to you always David!

Lyn Swan

November 1, 2015

Brian and my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with your family. We are so sad for your loss of David. I am grateful I was able to met him at race week! Bless you all

Ann Musser

November 1, 2015

Scott, Eric, Karen and I will always keep Dave close to our hearts. He meant so much to us.

Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results

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