James
James Madison Poole,
d. December 21, 2017
James M. Poole, Jr., age 87, beloved husband of the late Betty Donaldson Poole, passed away on December 20, 2017. A native of Savannah, Jim was born to the late James M. and Jeannette Cone Poole August 21, 1930.
From the time of his youth, Jim was an avid outdoorsman! As a young man, he enjoyed hunting duck, quail and was passionate about fishing the creeks, rivers and sounds for a variety of saltwater fish. Following graduation from Commercial High School in 1948, Mr. Poole proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard, 48th Armored Division. In 1954, he became employed with Savannah Electric & Power Company and in October 1956, he married his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Ann Donaldson, more affectionately known as 'Betty'.
As newlyweds, they chose the road less traveled and carved a piece of paradise out of rural Talahi Island. Here, they built their dream home overlooking Turner's Creek and immediately started a family. The family dock was the centerpiece of all family recreation and the couple spent countless hours swimming, fishing and boating with their two sons.
Jim devoted a lifetime to balancing work and his hunting and fishing pursuits. As much as he loved to watch his pointers snuff out a covey of quail deep in a pine thicket, his passion was saltwater fishing. He had an uncanny knowledge of the local rivers and creeks and, over the years, perfected the art of trout and bass fishing as well as gigging flounder. As a father, he introduced the serenity of his pre-dawn fishing excursions to his sons.
Jim dedicated 38 years of service to Savannah Electric & Power Co. and, upon his retirement in 1992, the couple relocated to Richmond Hill, Georgia. The Poole's enjoyed these years of retirement in the company of many long-time friends and family.
From his long tenure with Savannah Electric & Power Co., Jim was blessed with a fraternity of close friends. He took great delight in attending the monthly retiree luncheons, commercial high luncheons and sharing fishing stories. His friends will remember him as a genuine, insightful person with a great sense of humor. He was one of a team of dedicated individuals who proudly devoted many years to the Riverside Power Plant.
Jim's life was enriched by his steadfast love of family and fellowship with friends. The wedding vow till death do us part was never more evident than Jim's commitment and care of his beloved wife of 58th years and until her passing in 2015.
In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he was also a devoted and loving Grandfather of two granddaughters and took great pride in their academic and extracurricular accomplishments. A favorite pastime was taking his granddaughters to Ossabaw Island for picnics and long walks in search of shells and driftwood. Like his sons, his granddaughters now share an abiding respect for the coastal outdoors as well as many great memories of boating, fishing and beachcombing.
Throughout his journey in life, Jim was committed to his Christian faith, patriotic and valued family and friends. He was especially proud of his ancestral lineage. His ancestor Philip Poole came to America from England, served in the Revolutionary War and was present at Yorktown in 1781 when Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. In 2007, a commemorative plaque was placed at the Siege of Savannah site to honor the service of this patriot in the battle for America's independence.
He is predeceased by his wife, Betty, and a sister, Mary Frances Fears.
He is survived by two sons: James M. Poole III (Jill) and Mark R. Poole (Lane); two granddaughters, Victoria Madison and Elizabeth Katherine Poole; a niece, Sharon Daniel, and two nephews, Robert L. Fears and Donnie L. Fears, all of Savannah.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, December 27, 2017, at Messiah Lutheran Church ' 1 West Ridge Road conducted by The Reverend Jason W. Talsness. Interment will be in the Isle of Remembrance at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Honorary pallbearers will be the retirees of Savannah Electric and Power.
Remembrances: Coastal Conservancy of Georgia ' Suite A, 2807 Roger Lacey Avenue, Georgia 31404-4464.
From the time of his youth, Jim was an avid outdoorsman! As a young man, he enjoyed hunting duck, quail and was passionate about fishing the creeks, rivers and sounds for a variety of saltwater fish. Following graduation from Commercial High School in 1948, Mr. Poole proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard, 48th Armored Division. In 1954, he became employed with Savannah Electric & Power Company and in October 1956, he married his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Ann Donaldson, more affectionately known as 'Betty'.
As newlyweds, they chose the road less traveled and carved a piece of paradise out of rural Talahi Island. Here, they built their dream home overlooking Turner's Creek and immediately started a family. The family dock was the centerpiece of all family recreation and the couple spent countless hours swimming, fishing and boating with their two sons.
Jim devoted a lifetime to balancing work and his hunting and fishing pursuits. As much as he loved to watch his pointers snuff out a covey of quail deep in a pine thicket, his passion was saltwater fishing. He had an uncanny knowledge of the local rivers and creeks and, over the years, perfected the art of trout and bass fishing as well as gigging flounder. As a father, he introduced the serenity of his pre-dawn fishing excursions to his sons.
Jim dedicated 38 years of service to Savannah Electric & Power Co. and, upon his retirement in 1992, the couple relocated to Richmond Hill, Georgia. The Poole's enjoyed these years of retirement in the company of many long-time friends and family.
From his long tenure with Savannah Electric & Power Co., Jim was blessed with a fraternity of close friends. He took great delight in attending the monthly retiree luncheons, commercial high luncheons and sharing fishing stories. His friends will remember him as a genuine, insightful person with a great sense of humor. He was one of a team of dedicated individuals who proudly devoted many years to the Riverside Power Plant.
Jim's life was enriched by his steadfast love of family and fellowship with friends. The wedding vow till death do us part was never more evident than Jim's commitment and care of his beloved wife of 58th years and until her passing in 2015.
In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he was also a devoted and loving Grandfather of two granddaughters and took great pride in their academic and extracurricular accomplishments. A favorite pastime was taking his granddaughters to Ossabaw Island for picnics and long walks in search of shells and driftwood. Like his sons, his granddaughters now share an abiding respect for the coastal outdoors as well as many great memories of boating, fishing and beachcombing.
Throughout his journey in life, Jim was committed to his Christian faith, patriotic and valued family and friends. He was especially proud of his ancestral lineage. His ancestor Philip Poole came to America from England, served in the Revolutionary War and was present at Yorktown in 1781 when Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. In 2007, a commemorative plaque was placed at the Siege of Savannah site to honor the service of this patriot in the battle for America's independence.
He is predeceased by his wife, Betty, and a sister, Mary Frances Fears.
He is survived by two sons: James M. Poole III (Jill) and Mark R. Poole (Lane); two granddaughters, Victoria Madison and Elizabeth Katherine Poole; a niece, Sharon Daniel, and two nephews, Robert L. Fears and Donnie L. Fears, all of Savannah.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, December 27, 2017, at Messiah Lutheran Church ' 1 West Ridge Road conducted by The Reverend Jason W. Talsness. Interment will be in the Isle of Remembrance at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Honorary pallbearers will be the retirees of Savannah Electric and Power.
Remembrances: Coastal Conservancy of Georgia ' Suite A, 2807 Roger Lacey Avenue, Georgia 31404-4464.
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