Arthur “Gene” E. Pontious 75, of Girard, died at 12:52 a.m. Monday June 14, 2021 at the Labette Health Center in Parsons, following an illness.
Born July 24, 1945 in South Mound, Gene was the son of Camilla Pontious. He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended area schools in Erie.
Gene worked as a farm hand, rancher, substitute mail carrier and mowed lawns. He owned and operated Golden Prairie Fencing and built miles and miles of fence. Gene also worked for Beachner Cattle Company. Gene was of the Christian Faith. He enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, gardening and spending time with his family.
Gene is survived by his daughters Julie Murray (husband Jeremiah) of Pittsburg, Jessica Phillips (husband Bobby) of Girard and Janice Birdwell (husband William “Billy”) of Woodland, Calif. Grandchildren Joseph Thyer, William T. Birdwell Jr. and Kyle McGeorge also survive.
Gene was preceded in death by his mother. Graveside Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday June 23 at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. Paul.
In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the SEK Humane Society. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway St. Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.