John Paul Poole of Florenceloving husband, father, and grandfatherpassed away on July 12, 2010 at the age of 77.
Visitation will be held at Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, Sunday July 18, 2010 from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2: 00 PM with First Counselor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brother Abel Valasquez officiating. The graveside service, with military honors will follow in the Walston Cemetery.
John Paul graduated from Coffee High School and the University of Alabama where he played football under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He served in the U.S Navy aboard the USS Shields. In his early career, he worked in the space program and helped put the first man on the moon. He later worked as a nuclear engineer until he retired. John Paul was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a member of the Alabama Alumni Association at the University of Alabama and a former member of the Exchange Club. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed genealogy, writing, golf, and spending time with his family. He was a bright spot to all who knew him and will be sorely missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Paul Poole and Agnes Eugenia Angel Poole of Florence. He is survived by his wife Sandra of Florence; his son, John Carlton Poole, of Immigration Canyon, Utah; his son, Christopher Paul Poole and wife Tracy of Hickory, North Carolina; his daughter, Jennifer Gail Cox and husband David of Greensboro, North Carolina; his daughter, Jennifer Leigh Youngblood and husband Patrick of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; his daughter, Amanda Page Hopkins and husband Nathan of South Jordan, Utah; his son, Jonathan Mark Poole of South Jordan, Utah; and his son, Robert Nathan Poole of Florence, Alabama. Grandchildren: Tyler, Caroline, and Travis Poole of Hickory, North Carolina; Claire, Rachael, and Isabel Cox of Greensboro, North Carolina; Auston and Cameron Youngblood of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Emma, Haley, Sydney, and Aspen Hopkins of South Jordan, Utah. He is also survived by is brother: Robert Edward Poole and sister; Angela Thompson of Florence, as well as many nieces, nephews and other family members.
Pallbearers will include Patrick Youngblood, Nathan Hopkins, Jonathan Poole, Robert Poole, Chris Poole, John Carlton Poole, Auston Youngblood and Tyler Poole. Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
You are invited to sign the online guest register at www.elkinsfh.com.