John Earl Pontif

John Earl Pontif

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Mr. John E. Pontif at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2011, in St. Martin Catholic Church, Lecompte, with Rev. Pedro J. Sierra-Posada and Rev. Martin Laird officiating. Burial will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son. Visitation will be held from 5 pm - 9 pm, Friday, September 16, 2011, in the funeral home and from 10 am until the time of the service on Saturday morning in the church. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Mr. Pontif, 73, of Lecompte passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at Dubuis Hospital in Alexandria.

Mr. Pontif retired on August 30, 1998. He received his B.S. degree from Louisiana State University in 1961 and his M.S. in 1963. In 1964, he was appointed instructor with LSU-Alexandria. His principal responsibility was management of the Livestock Testing Station at Dean Lee Research Station. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1968. He was promoted to associate professor in 1977 and to professor in 1987. John was incredibly hard-working and did an outstanding job of managing the Livestock Testing Station and conducting beef cattle and swine research for almost 34 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, O.J. and Juliette Pontif, two brothers, Ned and Robert Pontif, and two sisters Hazel Chartier, and Agnes Vice.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Faye Rini Pontif of Lecompte; twin daughters, Sheryl Pope (Darryl) of Singapore and Lisa Hooter of Baton Rouge; two sons, Michael John Pontif (Erin) of Baton Rouge; and Mark Anthony Pontif (Nadia) of Rhode Island; six grandchildren, Kevin and Nicholas Hooter; Chase and Ashton Pope; John Michael Pontif; and Alicia Juliette Pontif; one brother, George Pontif (Hilda), two sisters, Alice Guidry and Vivian Cancienne (Philip) and many nieces and nephews. John was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He considered his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law his own family, Brenda his coffee-drinking buddy, Marie his casino buddy, Johnnie his gardening buddy, and Sam his true friend till the very end.

John had a very generous spirit, always ready to help anyone in need. He was also known to incessantly tease and joke with those around him, especially his granddaughter, Ashton, grandson, John Michael, and nephew, Stephen 'Possum' Hart. He was beloved by all who knew him. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

Pallbearers will be John L. Rini, Robert Rini, Paul Rini, Oliver Pontif, Leslie Pontif, and Kevin Pontif.

Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Martin Catholic Church, P.O. Box 459, Lecompte, LA 71346-0459.