Raymond "Harold" Ponsell, age 76, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Community Hospice Douglas Center for Caring in Jacksonville. He was born in Jacksonville on January 15, 1948, to Willie Mae (Holt) and Raymond "Buddy" E. Ponsell. Upon graduating from Wolfson Sr. High in 1966, he served 4 years in the U.S. Navy as a Signalman on a destroyer in Vietnam. After leaving the Navy, he worked at FEC and became a qualified thru-freight engineer on locomotives. Harold proudly served the community as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Police Officer beginning in 1975 and retiring in Dec 2001. During his career, he was a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Evidence Tech, Police Diver, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, and he really enjoyed the fun jobs as a Police Marine Officer and driver of the Beat The Heat Drag Car for 2 years. Harold will be missed dearly by family and friends. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gary H. Ponsell, and beloved wife, Dera "Tish" Hubbell Ponsell. He is survived by daughters, Susan E. Ponsell (Monica) and Casee M. Ponsell Barber (Shawn); sons, Melvin Rodriguez (Sandra), Jeremy Cochran, Steven Midyette, and Thomas Ponsell; grandchildren, Tristan Barber, Kiera Barber, Nathan Rodriguez (Delaney), Megan Rodriguez, Kaleb Cochran, Peyton Cochran, Amber Villar, Brittney Midyette, Brianna Midyette, Brooklyn Midyette; and numerous great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service for Mr. Ponsell will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Blackburn-Curry Funeral Chapel with Pastor Melvin Rodriguez officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice, Sunbeam Road in Jacksonville, for the exceptional care given to his late wife, Tish, at www.communityhospice.com. Cremation arrangements entrusted to the dedicated care of BLACKBURN-CURRY FUNERAL & CREMATION, 380 N. Lowder Street, Macclenny, Florida 32063. (904) 259-2806. Please share your condolences with the Ponsell family online at www.blackburncurryfh.com.

Community Hospice & Palliative Care
4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville FL 32257
Tel: 1-904-268-5200
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