James Michael "Jim" Poole, 68, was born on January 3, 1955, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and passed away March 2, 2023, at Stormont
Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. He was affectionately called Jim and Papa
Jim by his many friends and family.
After the untimely death of
his mother at an early age, Jim and his brothers attended Milton Hershey
Boarding School in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1973 and
immediately joined the Army. Jim was stationed in Hawaii and then Fort Riley, where he met his wife, Kelly Shultz. After a short stay in
Germany, Jim was medically discharged in 1986. Upon return to the
states, he and Kelly chose to reside in Kelly’s hometown of Junction
City, Kansas. They welcomed their only child, Joel, on December 14,
1986.
Jim spent many years working as a driver for Coca Cola and
then Wonder Bread until Kelly became terminally ill in 2008. He loved
Junction City and also spent nearly 30 years supporting and volunteering
for Junction City Junior Baseball Association. In Jim’s last ten years
of employment, he found his calling as a parks and recreational grounds
keeper for the city of Junction City where he was able to spend much of
his time supporting the community in the sport he loved. He could be
found many summer days and nights working the baseball fields or running
the score boards at North Park or Rathert Field. Jim took great pride
in Junction City and its parks and ball fields.
Jim was a kind
soul who didn’t know a stranger. In his final years after retirement, if
he wasn’t at the ball fields, Jim could most often be found spending
time with his grandchildren, whom he absolutely adored. He spent every
chance he could to dote on them and lend a helping hand.
Jim was
preceded in death by his parents Robert and Nona, his loving wife Kelly,
and his sister-in-law Lu Poole. Jim is survived by his son Joel and
daughter-in-law Christine, two grandchildren Braeden and Camryn, his
sister Kathleen (Butch) Poehler and brothers Robert (Sandi), William,
Thomas (Darla), Donald (Ann), Richard (Stephanie), and Timothy
(Meredith), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim chose
cremation and a Celebration of Life is being planned for later in the
spring. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set in place
through Venmo @Jim-Poole-Memorial. The family also asks that you
consider donating to recreational youth sports in your community.
Jim understood the importance of providing for our youth in fun, inclusive, and affordable activities, and he epitomized that belief in his many years volunteering with JCJBA youth baseball.