It is with immense sadness that the family of Michael R. Ponce, Jr. (Mikey) 66, announce his recent passing at 6:05 a.m., at Loma Linda Hospital, in Loma Linda, California, on Thursday December 8, 2022, from the side effects of a long-fought, three-year struggle with cancer. Mikey slipped away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Mary, his two daughters, Marline, Malorie, and son Mikey Jr. , and his sister, Rachel (Delfin) Ramirez.
A beloved husband, son, brother, nephew, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and loyal friend, Mikey never met a stranger. While in the hospital, and still lucid, he frequently kidded the hospital staff. For several days, he was visited for hours on end by literally dozens of relatives and lifetime friends, causing the attending nurses to remark that they were greatly astounded to see the countless number of family and friends, who came to the hospital, on a daily basis, to see Mikey, hour after hour, to lift his spirits and to check up on his prognosis. Possessed of an outgoing personality, a compassionate spirit, a very kind heart and a delightful sense of humor to the end, he was one of a kind, generally full of fun and mischief, creating constant laughter and joking among the young and old alike. He will be profoundly missed and not forgotten by everyone who was fortunate to have known him.
Mikey was born on April 4, 1956, in San Bernardino, California, to his parents, Richard G. Ponce, Sr., and Mercy A. Ponce. He was the first-born of four children, Four boys and one girl. Raised in San Bernardino, Mikey attended schools locally, graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto, and also attended Riverside Community College. Both as a youngster and a teenager he passionately loved all sports, especially baseball, and he frequently played baseball on numerous, local, outstanding baseball teams, from his youth until he reached middle age.
In 1976, he met his future wife at a local social function and they were married on May 21, 1981. For 41years, he was a devoted husband to his wife, Mary(Adame) Ponce, an adoring father to his two daughters, Marline, Malorie, and son Mikey Jr., a proud grandfather to his four grandchildren, and for his three siblings, he was the best brother you could ever ask for. His many relatives and very close friends thoroughly enjoyed his company.
In his teen years and while still in school, Mikey's mother, Mercy, who was then a floor lady with HPE, suggested he go to work for that local company, who specialized in manufacturing artificial Christmas trees. He became employed there. For a short while, he also worked in construction work with a local, life-long friend. Eventually, he became employed by GATX, situated in Colton, working as a tank repairman, and he remained with them for 32 years, from where he ultimately retired.
Mike is predeceased by both his parents, Richard G. Ponce, Sr. and Mercy A. Ponce. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughters, Marlene Moreno (Sammy) of Beaumont; Mikey Ponce of Colton, and Malorie Barron (John) of Grand Terrace. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Elijah and Mia Moreno; Autumn Avila, and Zane Barron; two brothers, Ronnie Ponce and Roy Ponce, both of San Bernardino; one sister, Rachel (Delfin) Ramirez of Colton; and two aunts, Ramona A. Colunga, of Colton, and Josephine A. Partida of Pomona. Also surviving him is a very large number of cousins, nieces, nephews and dozens of loyal, lifetime friends.
A memorial service will be held at Sunrise Church, 2759 Ayala Drive, Rialto, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2022, followed by graveside services, at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 East Washington Street, Colton. Thereafter, a reception will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 2392 Western Avenue, San Bernardino.