Gene Joseph Ponthieux, age 77, of Marksville

Funeral services for Gene Joseph Ponthieux were held on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Marksville with Pastor Sonny Wahl officiating.

Gene Joseph Ponthieux passed away peacefully, entering into eternal rest on November 16, 2016 at the age of 77 years. He was born on January 16, 1939 in Marksville, Louisiana. Gene was predeceased by his father, Edgar Ponthieux; his mother Dorothy Couvillion Ponthieux; his sister, Janet Ponthieux Normand; his niece, Nona Normand Dubea, and his nephew, Blaine Joseph Normand. He is survived by his daughters, Susan Marie Ponthieux and Elizabeth Ponthieux Jones; his granddaughter, Sarah Beth Wahl and his former wife, Carolyn Broussard Ducharme.

Gene graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1961 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education. He continued his advanced education by receiving his Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Louisiana State University (LSU) at Baton Rouge in 1965. He began his career in Iberville Parish as a Teacher, Coach and Principal of White Castle High School. In 1980, he continued his career as an Administrator at the Louisiana State Department of Education and then worked in Sales and Marketing with McGraw Hill Publishing Company. In 1995, he returned to the field of education for the newly established Baton Rouge Community College where he was a Dean of Arts and Sciences. He later taught Mathematics at Baton Rouge Community College and River Parishes Community College, where he retired as a Professor in Mathematics.

Those who knew Gene and were close to him experienced his compassion, resilience, tenacity and love of life that touched the lives of so many people during the course of his lifetime. He was a loving father, teacher, mentor and confidant who always encouraged others to reach for the top, pursue their dreams, and never give up on climbing the mountain to achieve success. Because of his positive influence, he helped to change the course of many lives.

Donations may be made to the LA Heart Association at 901 Sheridan Ave., Springhill, LA 71075 or to the National Parkinson Foundation at 200 SE 1st St. Suite 800, Miami, FL 33137 in memory of Gene Ponthieux.