David Franz Ponts

David, 62, of Lucerne, CA passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2011 in his home surrounded by his loved ones, after defying all odds in his 12-year fight against cancer. He was born in Fort Bragg, CA on December 20th, 1948 to Clarence and Alice Ponts, and was the youngest of four children. He loved basketball and was heavy into surfing at Hare Creek Beach. His group of friends, known as the Hare Creek Surfers, gave rise to a rock band, The Living Children, who once opened for Janis Joplin at the Filmore West. Shortly after high school he moved to Santa Rosa where he attended SRJC and entered the lumber industry. He became a very successful North Bay lumber broker, and remained in Santa Rosa for the majority of his life, with brief periods in Arcata and Lucerne. His entrepreneurial spirit carried him throughout his adult life, ultimately creating 'The Ranch' - our family's property that started as just another brush-filled hillside in Lake County - which he transformed into a place that the entire family would congregate, and then become his ultimate resting place. His creative mind was always at work right down to his very last days, sketching irrigation schematics for The Ranch. He is survived by his four children, Gretchen Ponts, John Ponts, Kelly Ponts Deutermann, and Michaela Hanley. He is also survived by his siblings James Ponts, Judy Ponts and Beverly Hayden, and his aunts and uncles, Clytie Mathews, Jack Ponts, Albert Ponts, Grace Fereira, and Alice McAdon. David requested a celebration rather than a service, and in keeping with his wishes a celebration of David's life will be held at Bennett Valley Golf Club, 3330 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011. During David's bout with cancer, blood transfusions saved his life numerous times. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a fiscal or blood donation to your local blood bank or via the American Red Cross.