Charles R. Pool

Charles R. Pool, 89, of Peoria, Illinois passed away at 3:50 a.m., Monday, February 19, 2018, at Rosewood Care Center in Peoria.

He was born on April 14, 1928 at Union Hospital in Lynn, Massachusetts, the son of Albert and Ethel Ryder Pool. He married Marian Irene Warner on December 24, 1950 and she passed away at age 23 on October 6, 1953 from cancer and was buried in Highland Cemetery in Junction City, Kansas. He then married Joan C. Butler on August 19, 1956 in Albany, Missouri.

Surviving are his loving wife Joan, of 61 years of Peoria, one son Tracy (Michelle) Pool and two grandchildren, Jackson and Ellie Pool, all of Windsor, California; one son-in-law Phil St. John of Wyoming, Illinois; one sister, Ethel Atkinson of Peabody, Massachusetts; two nephews, Gary (Carole) Atkinson of Reading, Massachusetts, Steve (Sandy) Butler of Liberty, Missouri; and one niece Brenda Butler of Cameron, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Kimberly Ann St. John; one infant brother, Edward Albert Pool; brother-in-law, Lloyd Atkinson; brother-in-law and wife, Eddie and Margie Butler.

Charlie was an avid fisherman loving the outdoors. He enjoyed wood working, making many useful and beautiful pieces and was a passionate reader of books and his daily newspaper. His family was his greatest joy in life. His loving Joan was his support and caretaker these past many years. He recently said, "If caretaking was an Olympic event, Joan deserves the gold medal."

My education was Lynn Wood Elementary and Pickering Junior High in Lynn, Massachusetts; and Peabody High, class of 1945, in Peabody, Massachusetts; playing basketball, trumpet in the marching band, junior class president, and business manager of the yearbook "META." College was 1949-1953 receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the school of arts and sciences at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Extracurricular activities included service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and Scabbard and Blade.

I enlisted in the US Army after high school graduation being sworn in on January 2, 1946, and honorably discharged November 23, 1948, classified as a World War II veteran having the rank of T5. I served in the veterinary corps with assignments at Camp Crowder, Missouri; Camp Carson, Colorado; and Fort Riley, Kansas. Served 1952-1955 as an active member of the US Army Reserves in Junction City, Kansas receiving rank of second lieutenant in the Officer Reserve Corp on December 8, 1952. During this period served as scoutmaster, AMVETS little league baseball coach, AMVETS Post G commander in Junction City, Kansas, AMVETS state commander, and AMVETS national lifetime member travelling to Canada to promote goodwill amongst Canadian and US veterans.

On September 27, 2016, I was privileged to participate as a veteran in the Greater Peoria Honor Flight to Washington, DC. It was a wonderful experience.

In October 1953, I began 28 employment years with the Boy Scouts of America. First assignment was the Pony Express Council in St. Joseph, Missouri, serving as field executive in several northwest Missouri counties. Additional duties included being a camp director, hosting a group of scouts from the Philippines, organizing and directing a live half hour monthly television production in St. Joseph, and making sachem in tribe of Mic-A-Say, a leadership enhancement program.

In 1956, promoted to district executive in the St. Louis Council followed by area director position supervising five districts including four years as camp director. Attending the 1965 National Jamboree in Colorado as leader of the council scout masters and boy scouts. During the St. Louis years was a member of the United Way Ambassadors, Toast Masters, and chairman of police/community relations group in police district three.

Transferred in 1966 to the Western Scout Council in Grand Junction, CO as Council Executive (CEO). The council covers a vast area (Wyoming to the North, Utah to the West, Continental Divide to the East, and New Mexico to the South), but had no camp.

Worked toward and procured 180 acres for building a camp near Telluride, CO. I was elected to the Region 8 Hall of Fame in 1968 and later was named Chieftain of the Order of the Arrow. In 1970 through 1978 I lived in Oak Park, Illinois, as scout council executive with Thatcher Wood Council. In 1977, was appointed manager of arrivals and departures of the National Scout Jamboree.

Following 25 years of scouting service I retired only to be called back to the Boy Scouts in 1983 as director of development for the Heart of America Council of Kansas City until retiring in October 1986 devoting a total of 28 years to the Boy Scouts of America.

Following Boy Scout retirement, I joined Ketchum, Inc., a capital fund raising company, as a campaign director for four years then moved to Des Moines, Iowa as executive director of Iowa Multiple Sclerosis Association.

Later I was employed by Mid Step Services, Inc., in Sioux City, Iowa, a facility serving intellectually challenged individuals. While there, I formed and incorporated Micah Six Eight Inc. offering counsel to not-for-profit organizations. While in Sioux City, was a member of Temple Baptist Church teaching adult Sunday School and was ordained a Deacon on March 7, 1993.

In 1996 I returned to Jefferson City, Missouri, joining First Baptist Church and was active as a Deacon, teacher of senior adult Sunday School class, and co-chair with Joan of the church's senior group. Worked with the Prevent Child Abuse Program as a VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) person and was chairman of the Lewis and Clark task force. Joined Gideon's International in 1999 serving as camp president, area director, and state membership coordinator. As a Gideon, I was committed to the Gideon purpose, "Distributing God's Holy Word – Winning Others for Christ."

I arrived in Peoria, Illinois, in 2009 to be closer to Kim and Phil St John. Joined Woodland Baptist Church and taught Sunday school. I was a member of American Legion Post 979 and volunteer at Alpha Park Library in Bartonville, Illinois. I continued to work as an active Gideon receiving Veteran Gideon status and life membership.

The family says thank you for all the compassionate love and caring support given by the OSF Hospice Service members, the team at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, and Rosewood Care Center-Peoria.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria. Pastor Joel Newton will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Private burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Albany, Missouri. Memorials in his name may be given to Gideon's International, OSF Hospice, or Woodland Baptist Church. To share memories and condolences with the family or for a more complete obituary please visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Written by Charles Pool November 2017