Robert Cooper Pond

"It pains me to admit it, but apparently, I have died." Buddy Pond

Buddy Pond was born April 7, 1937, in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Buzz and Bill Pond. Buddy's older sister, Mary Jane, couldn't pronounce the word brother, so she christened him Buddy.

Buddy resided in Carlsbad until he graduated high school. Then, on a football scholarship, he attended and graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell and Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. After graduation, Buddy was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served his country, leaving the service at the rank of captain.

After the Marines, Buddy taught in Texas at Alpine, Texas A&M, College Station, and San Perlita, where he was the High School principal, taught English and Spanish, coached basketball, and drove the school bus. While in San Perlita, he befriended Beto Durham, the patron at the King Ranch, and spent many weekends there with Beto and his family. Buddy later left education and spent the rest of his work life in the insurance industry.

Buddy met his future wife Linda Jarman Kincaid at a party and was instantly intrigued by the fact that she was from Virginia, in the medical field, and a single mother of two children. Their attraction was mutual, and they were married the following year.

Together they formed a loving blended family including Buddy's sons Beau and Marc with Linda's children, Chewning and Carter. Buddy adored his family and friends and loved being a Papa to his seven grandchildren.

After retirement, Buddy spent his time enjoying his grandchildren, golf, gardening, and God. Community and family were dear to Buddy. He gave back by volunteering with First Richardson Helpers, improving and repairing senior citizen's homes. Buddy was a longtime member of Arapaho United Methodist Church. He loved his church and spent much of his time giving back and working with the UMM, as well as the landscaping and gardening, making a mark in The Peace Garden. Over the years, Buddy has mentored many of the church's youth through the confirmation process at AUMC. Buddy enjoyed spending time with all people, but especially the young.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife Linda, children Chewning Kincaid (Jeannie), Beau Pond (Joanie, deceased), Carter Tinsley (Stuart), and Marc Pond (Sue), and seven grandchildren, Macy and Carter Kincaid, Ethan and Wyatt Tinsley, and Seth, Abigail, and Jacob Pond.

Buddy is also survived by his older sister, Mary Jane Cooper, nephew John Welles of San Luis Obispo, CA, and niece, Belinda Thompson (Carl) of Hermosa Beach, CA.

Special thanks to Three Oaks Hospice and the team, especially Angela, who was an angel to Buddy.

Buddy and Linda were longtime members at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas. They would like to thank everyone in their extended church family for their love and support over the years.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss

Buddy's memorial service will be held on October 5, 2024, at 3:30 PM at Arapaho United Methodist Church, 1400 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson, TX. The service will be available on live stream at https://www.arapahoumc.org/memorials

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Arapaho United Methodist Church mission fund in Buddy's memory.

Here is a link for donations: www.Arapahoumc.org/donate

(select Mission fund.)