Dr. James Howard Poole Sr.'s Obituary
Funeral Service for Dr. James Howard Poole Sr., 95, of Alexander City, will be Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Alexander City. Dr. Steve King and Rev. Max Roden will officiate. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 9, 2025 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church Alexander City. Burial will be Monday, February 10, 2025 at 10:00 am at Hillview Memorial Park
Dr. Poole passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at his residence. He was born on December 6, 1929 in Montgomery, Alabama to Calvin Syntell Poole and Else Pearl Glasscock Poole. He was a faithful member of Sardis Baptist Church of Boaz then First Baptist Church Alexander City. Howard was a 1948 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. He then served four years in the Navy on the USS Kearsarge in communications. He was stationed in Alameda, California. Following the 1948-1952 stint serving his country, Howard enrolled at Troy State College where he met the love of his life, Betty Caroline Byrd, who was a Troy sophomore preparing to be a teacher. After a courtship of three years, they were married in June 1955 in Betty's hometown of Elamville, Alabama. By this time, Howard was attending Alabama Polytechnic Institute (later Auburn University) and he graduated in 1958 from Auburn's School of Veterinary Medicine with his doctorate.
They welcomed Melissa Gayle and James Howard, Jr. while working as a federal meat inspector in South Alabama. He moved his young family of four to the Sand Mountain area when he became the director of the Alabama State Diagnostic Lab in Albertville. At retirement, he was a meat inspector for the State of Alabama.
Papa, as he was affectionately called by his seven grandchildren, spent countless hours gardening on their Sand Mountain hobby farm. He studied and practiced organic gardening before it became cool. His other passion was a 30 year program of developing a line of Arabian horses known for their beauty, athleticism and intelligence.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Byrd Poole of Alexander City; daughter, Melissa Poole (Gary) Poe of Alexander City; son, Dr. James Howard (Melinda) Poole, Jr. of Alexander City; grandchildren, Emily (Jeff) Gramse, Heather (O.C.) Omokie, Amber (Ryan) Claudon, Dalton (fiancé-Heather Clanton) Boatwright, Joshua (fiancé - Logan Dover) Poole, Caleb (Kelli) Poole, Lindsey (Taylor) Wesson; sister, Alice Faye Poole (Ben) Taylor; brother, David Oneal (Sherry) Poole; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Ann Poole; and nephew, Eric Taylor.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dr. James Howard Poole, Sr.
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