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A resolution mourning the passing and honoring the life and legacy of Philip “Phil” Chazal Ponder.
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council joins the people of Nashville and Davidson County in mourning the passing of Philip “Phil” Chazal Ponder on September 30, 2026, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Phil Ponder was born on April 6, 1933, in Ocala, Florida, graduated from the University of Florida in 1955, and honorably served his country as an officer in the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Dot” Myrle Connell, on June 7, 1956, beginning a loving marriage that lasted 68 years until her passing in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Phil and Dot moved to Donelson in 1959 when Mr. Ponder began working for Genesco, Inc., and settled in Hermitage in 1969, where they raised three daughters and one son and became deeply woven into the life of the community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder worked in management positions at Genesco for 30 years before retiring in 1989; and
WHEREAS, what began as an artistic hobby in the 1970s grew into a remarkable second career through Phil Ponder Prints, which he and Dot established in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder became one of Middle Tennessee’s most recognized artists and a treasured visual historian, creating more than 700 detailed works depicting Nashville’s skylines, historic buildings, churches, homes, landmarks, and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder’s distinctive combination of pen, ink, watercolor, and precise mathematical calculations allowed him to capture not only the appearance of a place, but also its character, history, and meaning to the people who called it home; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 1982, Mr. Ponder created 12 paintings documenting Nashville’s changing skyline, preserving a visual record of buildings lost, landmarks restored, and new icons added as the city grew; and
WHEREAS, his work titled “Market Street, Too” was transformed into an etched aluminum mural on Second Avenue, preserving the memory of historic buildings damaged in the Christmas Day bombing of 2020; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Mr. Ponder received the Metropolitan Historical Commission’s Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to historic preservation and donated his extensive collection of source photographs to the Metro Archives for the benefit of future generations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder’s commitment to Nashville extended well beyond his artwork, as he represented District 12 on the Metropolitan Council from 1995 until 2003 and served as President Pro Tempore during his final year in office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder also served for more than 12 years on the Metropolitan Planning Commission and represented the Commission on the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission and the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation; and
WHEREAS, from 2004 until 2014, Mr. Ponder served the people of Middle Tennessee as a community liaison for United States Representative Jim Cooper, approaching that work with the same kindness, attention to detail, and genuine concern for others that defined every part of his life; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder gave generously of his time and leadership to countless civic, faith-based, military, artistic, and community organizations, including the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage, Greenways for Nashville, L’Evate, the General Andrew Jackson Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, Friends of Two Rivers, Arts at the Airport, and Saint Stephen Catholic Community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder frequently donated his artwork to support charitable organizations throughout Tennessee, using his talents to strengthen the community he loved; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder’s artwork remains an important part of the Donelson-Hermitage community, including the mural featuring local landmarks on the Hermitage Police Precinct that he designed in 2025; and
WHEREAS, on the morning of his passing, Mr. Ponder’s coneflower design was installed on the utility box at the intersection of Dodson Chapel Road and Central Pike, joining the precinct mural just around the corner and giving his work another lasting place in the community he served for more than six decades; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ponder was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, colleague, and friend whose warmth, humility, generosity, and joyful spirit touched countless lives; and
WHEREAS, Phil Ponder spent his life preserving the places that tell Nashville’s story, but his greatest legacy will be the relationships he built, the people he encouraged, and the community he made stronger through a lifetime of service; and
WHEREAS, although Mr. Ponder will be deeply missed, his unmistakable imprint will remain throughout Nashville in the art displayed in homes and public places, in the institutions and causes he strengthened, and in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes and honors the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Philip “Phil” Chazal Ponder.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as honoring the life and legacy of Philip “Phil” Chazal Ponder and expresses its deepest sympathy to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and the many people whose lives were enriched by his friendship, artistry, and service.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this resolution to be presented to the family of Philip “Phil” Chazal Ponder.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.