Donald Roberts Pond

Donald Roberts Pond, of North Chesterfield, Virginia, age 87, passed away peacefully on October 22 at The Dunlop House in Colonial Heights. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia to the late Howard Butts Pond and Willie Irene (Roberts) Pond. Donald was preceded in death by the mother of his three sons, Katherine Roberts Pond, his identical twin brother, Ronald Lee Pond and older brother, Selwyn Adrian Pond. Born April 12, 1937, he was a proud 1956 graduate of Petersburg High School. He served as an infantry 81 mm mortar gunner and forward observer, infantry rifleman and infantry machine gunner in the US Army National Guard of Virginia from October of 1955 through September of 1963, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He then graduated in June of 1962 from the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) of the College of William and Mary where he earned a BS degree in advertising. He would go on to work as medical and pharmaceutical sales representative for over 35 years. Donald enjoyed reading, Civil War and WWII history, archaeology, relic hunting and loved his Pond family genealogy. He was a sports enthusiast and loved playing baseball alongside his twin brother during his childhood and teenage years. Donald would later go on to play local semipro ball. Other hobbies and interests included deer and turkey hunting, fishing, golfing, walking, jogging and living an active lifestyle. He also coached youth soccer and was active with his three sons in the YMCA Indian Guides. He cherished his activity and association with the Petersburg Old Geezers Organization (POGO) and was a former member of the Colonial Heights Senior Golf Association, a former member the Sons of Confederate Veterans Chester Station Camp 1503 and was a pioneer member of the Shady Grove Hunt Club in Surry, Virginia. He was also a member of the Sigma Beta fraternity while in school at RPI. In 1949 Donald came to a saving faith in Christ at Colonial Heights Baptist Church as a child, where he was also baptized at age 12. He would later return to enjoy active membership, family and fellowship at The Heights Baptist. As a strong family man, a single dad and with the help from the Good Lord, he considered the most rewarding part of his life to be the privilege of raising his three sons whom he deeply loved. He cherished and enjoyed watching his 3 grandchildren grow up and move through life. He is survived by his sister, Ann Jacqueline “Jackie” Pond; sons, David Bryan Pond, Steven Patrick Pond (Lisa) and Douglas Brandon Pond (Julie); granddaughters, Caroline Anne Pond, Kailyn Kendall Pond and grandson, Brandon William Pond. The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to staff at the Levinson Heart Center and the 3rd floor CPSU nurses at Chippenham Hospital, the fine folks at The Dunlop House and for the acts of compassion shown by Crater Community Hospice. A memorial service will be held 12:00 noon Friday, November 1, 2024, at The Heights Baptist Church 17201 US-1, South Chesterfield, VA 23834. The family will receive friends on Friday, one hour prior to the service, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to The Heights Baptist Church (Attn: LOVE804 missions) or The American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.