Eric Mitchell Ponack, 48

Eric Mitchell Ponack was born in Sandpoint on April 15, 1968, to Nikolas and Darlene Ponack. He passed away June 24, 2016 at his home on the Hope peninsula. He was the youngest of five children. Eric spent the majority of his life in Hope, Idaho, the place he dearly loved.

Eric was educated at Hope Elementary School, Clark Fork High School and attended the University of Idaho. His education resulted in extensive knowledge about a number of subjects as well as an incredible vocabulary.

He was very proud to serve in the Army as a munitions expert. His service included time in the first gulf war, Desert Storm, as well as in Germany. He shared many stories about his time in Germany and hoped to return to Europe one day.

Eric held several jobs beginning as a restaurant worker during high school. He worked for Nortel Cable Company enjoying his travels around the Northwest. Operating a ski lift at Schweitzer Basin was another of Eric’s jobs. He worked many years for the city of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department. At the time of his death, he was employed with Turfcare Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance.

Eric enjoyed a number of hobbies including music (especially heavy metal), expanding the musical vocabulary of others, playing cribbage (losing to his niece was painful), playing video games, and star gazing. He was a World War II history buff, reading voraciously about this period of time and owned a complete set of Time Life books on the subject.

Eric was an avid sports fan and spent many Sundays watching golf, baseball, football, basketball (always the Gonzaga Bulldogs), Nascar racing, and horse racing on television. He was a Yankee fan since age 3 and watched them play almost every game for 10 years with his grandfather. He played baseball throughout his youth and remained a Yankees’ fan against most of his family’s better judgment except his brother, Mark.

His passion was golf, which he played as often as he could. He was a member of the Sandpoint Elk’s Lodge for many years just so he could play on their golf course and in their leagues and tournaments.

Eric is survived by his brother, Mark (Phyllis) Ponack of Sandpoint; his sister, Linda (Forrest) Keirnes of Kuna; nephews, Ryan, Cole and Shane; nieces, Angie and Ashley; as well as four great-nieces and five great-nephews. He is also survived by his best friend since high school and golfing buddy, Bryan “BR” Roque; and numerous other friends who knew him as “Big E.” He left behind his constant companion, a beloved cat “Kona.” He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Kathy Ponack; and a brother, Matthew Ponack.

A private family farewell will be held at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to Coffelt Funeral Services.

Rest in peace little brother. “We love you more than oxygen.”

Family and friends are invited to sign Eric’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.