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Gerald “Jerry” Pontes
“Poomba”
11/18/1955 – 10/18/2024
Jerry crossed the final sandbar in the early morning after a very long hard fight.
Jerry was a man of many talents, but his greatest gift was his fun and loving nature. He loved his family and friends with all his heart.
He was predeceased by his mother Gertrude Pontes and father Eugene Pontes as well as his brother William Pontes.
He is survived by his children Mick Pontes and Virginia Dare Pontes, their mother Heidi Sibert, his brother Lee and nephews, Matt, Gene, and JJ.
Jerry’s family went well beyond DNA. His friends were sisters and brothers, and he was a father figure to many especially Tim Doherty, Jessica Shreaves, and Whitney Lucas. He had so many friends we cannot mention them all, many we hope he gets to join on the other side.
Jerry was born in Waukegan, IL before moving to Cuba. The family then moved to Virginia Beach where he went to school and grew up. He moved to Hatteras Island in the late 70s to be a commercial fisherman and continue his surfing. In 1985 he moved to Kill Devil Hills to open Pontes Antiques. This shop became many things over the years including his favorites, Twisted Fish and Hippy House Gallery.
A celebration of life will be held on November 30, 2024 at his beloved home at 1903 S. Croatan Hwy. from 1 until 4 pm. We hope all who knew and loved him will participate in his tribute.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his name to one of the following:
Surfrider Outer Banks Chapter PO Box 2331 Kill Devil Hills NC 27948.
North Carolina Watermen United PO Box 536 Hatteras NC 27943.
Or support the local EMS workers.
Condolences to the family are welcome via the online register book at www.gallopfuneralservices.com .
Condolences
Godspeed to my free spirited friend since our early teens. Lots of laughs , good times , and memories to last. You are not gone but just not here.
My Sincere Condolences an Love to the Family
It’s been many years since we have connected - last time is when your mom passed. Growing up together was always an adventure. Rest in peace dear “cousin”. You will be missed
Many condolences to the family. I met Jerry in Hatteras in 1979 at Odens Dock he was fishing and I was crabbing. We hit it off and joked around whenever we met. We surfed together at the Lighthouse in Buxton whenever the waves were good. Jerry could surf! He’d been an athlete all his life and was strong like bull. Later he moved to Kill Devil Hills and I moved to Corolla to start a real estate business. We surfed a lot and fished often as well. Jerry was a fun guy to be around. And generous to a fault. I’m deeply sorry at his passing and he will be sorely missed. God speed Jerry catch the big ones up in the sky!!
I dare anyone to find two brothers as different as Jerry and me. He was short, I was tall. He still had hair, I’m bald as a cue ball. He was a talented artist, I cannot draw a stick man. He lived free and I tended to be slaved to a job. But I think he always appreciated my successes and I know I always wished I could be half as liberated as him. I’d say we were brothers from a different mother except our mother understood and loved us each for who we were, never who she expected us to become. I will miss my free-spirited sibling. RIP, brother.
Pontesaurus T-Rex! Popeye and I have so many wonderful memories of you and with you 💕 we will surely be missing you ❤️ Gone to soon ❤️. But I know you are going to teach those Angels how to party
I am so very sorry Mick and Ginny. That house was a big part of my teenage years. I remember always feeling welcome and it was always a good time. Your Dad never turned anybody away. It was a safe haven for me as well as others I'm sure. I will always remember Jerry 🩵
Jerry was unique and a lover of fun. Fly high Jerry.
Jerry you’ll be missed. You were like a brother to me when we were in junior high and high school we always love going to your home and seeing your mom and having lots of food to eat on Sunday love you man and I’ll miss you more than you’ll ever know.
Jerry we had a great time growing up together through junior high school in high school. I always love going to your house on Sunday and having dinner. I will miss you man rest in peace, my brother.
My deepest condolences to the family. Jerry was a friend through thick and thin. Thanks to him and his wonderful family, we always felt at home, despite being thousands of miles away from the actual place. Your legacy stretches across continents, Jerry. You will be remembered by many in Europe, too. Rest in peace, dear friend...
I want to send my condolences to the Pontes Family. Growing up at their house with Lee Beau George Rick Clayburn Jerry and everybody else that came over were special times. I hate to say but time goes by. I have not seen Jerry in a long time. Think about your good friends and make sure you reach out to THEM. Life is short, but the future is better. Praying for the family !! GOD BLESS
Fly high Poomba. You were a second dad to Jessica having her around since the girls were 5 years old and she lived very minute. You even had her painting. I love you Mick and Ginny, my other children.
A friend since 99. 1903 was a very special place because of Jerry. A wonderful assortment of locals of all walks and means. An artist of exceptional talent in many mediums. Not forget he was an outstanding sailor.
Jerry is a character that will be remembered. Loved his smile and positive attitude.
Thoughts and prayers for all his friends and family, there will be a void in my heart forever without you Pumba, however, I'm grateful that you aren't suffering. We love you 💖
I’m so sorry for your lose. My love and prayers are with you and your family. Love you all always.
"Just a box of rain, wind and water Believe it if you need it If you don't, just pass it on Sun and shower, wind and rain In and out the window Like a moth before a flame And it's just a box of rain I don't know who put it there Believe it if you need it Or leave it if you dare And it's just a box of rain Or a ribbon for your hair Such a long, long time to be gone And a short time to be there" Wild, endlessly happy dreams forever more friend. Thank you for giving me my love for art at such a young age, until we meet again
So sorry to hear about Jerry passing I would always see him around the beach one of the nicest person I knew very friend would always say hi to me I knew mick and ginny so sorry to hear about him sending prayers out and hugs I think of him and u both when I go by the shop great memories
RIP Jerry Donna and I heading to celebration of life at the old house. I was one of Lee’s good friends in high school always knew Jerry as the little brother but he was always larger than life menu many fond memories of the Pontes family and home growing up in my formative years Beau and Donna Killen
Godspeed to my free spirited friend since our early teens. Lots of laughs , good times , and memories to last. You are not gone but just not here.
My Sincere Condolences an Love to the Family
It’s been many years since we have connected – last time is when your mom passed. Growing up together was always an adventure. Rest in peace dear “cousin”. You will be missed
Many condolences to the family. I met Jerry in Hatteras in 1979 at Odens Dock he was fishing and I was crabbing. We hit it off and joked around whenever we met. We surfed together at the Lighthouse in Buxton whenever the waves were good. Jerry could surf! He’d been an athlete all his life and was strong like bull. Later he moved to Kill Devil Hills and I moved to Corolla to start a real estate business. We surfed a lot and fished often as well. Jerry was a fun guy to be around. And generous to a fault. I’m deeply sorry at his passing and he will be sorely missed. God speed Jerry catch the big ones up in the sky!!
I dare anyone to find two brothers as different as Jerry and me. He was short, I was tall. He still had hair, I’m bald as a cue ball. He was a talented artist, I cannot draw a stick man. He lived free and I tended to be slaved to a job. But I think he always appreciated my successes and I know I always wished I could be half as liberated as him. I’d say we were brothers from a different mother except our mother understood and loved us each for who we were, never who she expected us to become. I will miss my free-spirited sibling. RIP, brother.
Pontesaurus T-Rex! Popeye and I have so many wonderful memories of you and with you 💕 we will surely be missing you ❤️ Gone to soon ❤️. But I know you are going to teach those Angels how to party
I am so very sorry Mick and Ginny. That house was a big part of my teenage years. I remember always feeling welcome and it was always a good time. Your Dad never turned anybody away. It was a safe haven for me as well as others I’m sure. I will always remember Jerry 🩵
Jerry was unique and a lover of fun. Fly high Jerry.
Jerry you’ll be missed. You were like a brother to me when we were in junior high and high school we always love going to your home and seeing your mom and having lots of food to eat on Sunday love you man and I’ll miss you more than you’ll ever know.
Jerry we had a great time growing up together through junior high school in high school. I always love going to your house on Sunday and having dinner. I will miss you man rest in peace, my brother.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Jerry was a friend through thick and thin. Thanks to him and his wonderful family, we always felt at home, despite being thousands of miles away from the actual place.
Your legacy stretches across continents, Jerry. You will be remembered by many in Europe, too. Rest in peace, dear friend…
I want to send my condolences to the Pontes Family. Growing up at their house with Lee Beau George Rick Clayburn Jerry and everybody else that came over were special times. I hate to say but time goes by. I have not seen Jerry in a long time. Think about your good friends and make sure you reach out to THEM. Life is short, but the future is better. Praying for the family !!
GOD BLESS
Fly high Poomba. You were a second dad to Jessica having her around since the girls were 5 years old and she lived very minute. You even had her painting.
I love you Mick and Ginny, my other children.
A friend since 99. 1903 was a very special place because of Jerry. A wonderful assortment of locals of all walks and means. An artist of exceptional talent in many mediums. Not forget he was an outstanding sailor.
Jerry is a character that will be remembered. Loved his smile and positive attitude.
Thoughts and prayers for all his friends and family, there will be a void in my heart forever without you Pumba, however, I’m grateful that you aren’t suffering. We love you 💖
I’m so sorry for your lose. My love and prayers are with you and your family. Love you all always.
“Just a box of rain, wind and water
Believe it if you need it
If you don’t, just pass it on
Sun and shower, wind and rain
In and out the window
Like a moth before a flame
And it’s just a box of rain
I don’t know who put it there
Believe it if you need it
Or leave it if you dare
And it’s just a box of rain
Or a ribbon for your hair
Such a long, long time to be gone
And a short time to be there”
Wild, endlessly happy dreams forever more friend. Thank you for giving me my love for art at such a young age, until we meet again
So sorry to hear about Jerry passing I would always see him around the beach one of the nicest person I knew very friend would always say hi to me I knew mick and ginny so sorry to hear about him sending prayers out and hugs I think of him and u both when I go by the shop great memories
RIP Jerry
Donna and I heading to celebration of life at the old house. I was one of Lee’s good friends in high school always knew Jerry as the little brother but he was always larger than life menu many fond memories of the Pontes family and home growing up in my formative years
Beau and Donna Killen