Eddie Deussen, Jr. - Eddie Deussen Park - Ponder, TX
N 33° 11.042 W 097° 17.298
14S E 659576 N 3672994
This park's namesake, Eddie Deussen, Jr., is memorialized on a sign in an information kiosk where you'll find other park information. The park is located at 405 Shaffner St, Ponder, TX.
Waymark Code: WMYW95
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/01/2018
Views: 0
The memorial is flanked by one sign with the park's rules, and another that thanks those who have provided for the park, past, present, and future. The memorial has a picture of Mr. Deussen, and it reads:
Eddie Deussen Jr. 1918-1983
Eddie Deussen Jr. was born February 26th 1918 and he attended and graduated from Ponder High School in 1941. August 3rd of that same year he wed Maurice Thomas and eleven days later he went to serve his country as so many young men did during World War II. The newlyweds did not see each other for nearly four years until his return in July 1945. Eddie served as an Army Engineer in and around Australia and the Philippines. He has two children, Tommy Deussen and Paulette Clement both currently living in Ponder. He was employed by the Texas Highway Department for over 30 years.
A resolution presented to him and his family by the State of Texas stated, "He was a supporter of high school athletics, a deacon in the Ponder Baptist Church and Director of music, served as President of the Denton County Farm Bureau, was a member of the Denton Baptist Association, a former chief of the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department, secretary/treasurer of the Justin Masonic Lodge, a supporter of the Denton County Youth Fair, and served on the North Texas Fair Board."
To those who knew him personally, Eddie Deussen was even more. He exemplified the good hard-working Christian father and husband. His love for animals was shown by his patience in training his donkeys to pull carts and be part of his rodeo clown act. His talents in the rodeo arena as a clown not only thrilled the crowed with bull fighting skills but also brought a chuckle to their hearts. One might find Eddie mowing the school's baseball field because he enjoyed it, not seeking reward or recognition. He was a civic-minded individual. In 1984, a scholarship was established in his name to honor a graduating senior of Ponder High School. On June 23rd, 1990, the park in downtown where the historical Christal School House is located was dedicated in his honor. He will always be remembered for the sacrifices he made for his family, friends, church, community, and country.
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Since the memorial was placed, Tommy Deussen has passed on, and he and his parents are buried nearby in historic Eakins Cemetery, in what is now DISH, TX. If one is fortunate enough to acquire a copy of Nita Seals's "Ponder: The Big Town with the Little Rodeo", there are a few photos of Mr. Deussen and some of his family members in action at the Ponder Rodeo. The Deussen family were early settlers in Ponder -- there once was a ranch in the area, "Deussendale" -- and one cannot read about Ponder without encountering their name.
Website with more information on either the memorial or the person(s) it is dedicated to: [Web Link]
Location: Eddie Deussen Jr. Park
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