James R. Ponsot, age 98, of Illinois Veterans Home, died at 1:55 PM on July 27, 2025 at the Illinois Veterans Home. He was born on February 3, 1927 in St. Louis, MO, a son of Odilo A. and Margaret E. (Oeschner) Ponsot. He married Norma D. Caldwell on June 25, 1949 in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in St. Louis. After 67 years and 10 months of marriage, Norma passed away on April 21, 2017.

He was a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, and great grandfather. Mr. Ponsot was a 1944 graduate of McBride High School in St. Louis and served his country in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He attended Florissant Valley Community College and Washington University in St. Louis majoring in Traffic Management and Interstate Commerce Law and worked for a number of motor carriers in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, MO. prior to moving to Quincy in 1979 to work for Sharkey Transportation. While working in St. Louis he passed daily the construction site of the Gateway Arch, and was a witness to each segment of the Arch being hoisted into place. Although he officially retired in 1995 he still worked two mornings a week at Sharkey until July 2013.

Jim was committee chairman of the Veterans Parade Committee from 2009-2013 and was instrumental, along with his good friend, Dick McKinney in re-starting this parade in Quincy after a 35 year absence. At the sixth parade on November 9, 2013 Jim retired as Chairman of the Committee and was given a proclamation from the City of Quincy by Mayor Kyle Moore naming that day “Jim Ponsot Day” in the city of Quincy. The parade continues to this day. In November of 2016 Jim was honored by the Parade Committee by voting him the parade’s Grand Marshall. He was humbled by this honor.

Jim was also honored to be chosen to be one of the first 33 WWII Veterans to be flown to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Memorial on the inaugural Great River Honor Flight in April, 2010. Jim was also honored by the employees of State Street Bank by purchasing him a seat on the B-25 flight after the parade. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council 583, the Catholic War Veterans Post 1933, American Legion Post 37, and was a honorary lifetime member of the Quincy Traffic and Transportation Club.

Jim was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan since his youth. He had sold soda in the stands of the old Sportsmens Park in St. Louis when he was a teenager.

Survivors include three sons, Mark S. Ponsot of Monroe City, MO, Gary R. Ponsot and wife Jaunita of Union, MO, and Michael K. Ponsot and wife Rae Dean of Quincy, one daughter, Deborah A. Brown and husband Randy of Round Rock, Texas. Three grandchildren, Patrick A. Doughterty (Sarah Riley) of Seattle, WA, Molly E. Bucy of Austin, TX, and Megan K. Travis (Clayton) of Austin, TX. Three great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Mr. Ponsot was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Louis N. Ponsot along with his wife Joyce and one sister, Mary Louise Stolz along with her husband Harry, and infant sister at birth and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM in St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #37 and the United States Navy Honor Detail. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of the services at 11:00. Memorials may be made to the Knights of Columbus TV Mass for Shut-Ins, the Great River Honor Flight or to the Illinois Veterans Home Activities Fund. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.