Harold Gene Poole

Gene Poole, 92, of Vienna, WV, passed away peacefully, at The Wyngate on Thursday, October 25, 2018. He was born in Vienna, WV on November 27, 1925 to the late Dewey A. and Moynell (Hawk) Poole. Gene graduated from Parkersburg High School in January 1944. He was a veteran of WW II and enlisted in the Army Air Force just before his 18th birthday in 1943, but due to lost records, was not called to active duty until March. He attended classes at WVU Parkersburg, while waiting for the call to duty. Gene served in the Army Air Communication Service (AACS) at several U.S. Bases and one year at Astugi Air Base in Tokyo, Japan; quartered next door to Gen. McArthur’s Hdqrs. He was discharged on December 6, 1946. Upon returning home, he completed two years “On The Job Training” in Accounting as Bookkeeper at Ohio Valley Sales Inc. (Nash Auto & Appliance Sales), Parkersburg, then two years as Bookkeeper for McClinton Chevrolet until September 1952. In 1947, he met the love of his life, Ethel May Musgrave, at Wesley Methodist Church in Vienna. They were married on September 3, 1948. This union produced three lovely and talented daughters, Karen Lynne, Debbie Jean, and Janet Lelia. Raising three daughters turned out to be the most enjoyable, active, and rewarding time of their lives. In September 1952, Gene was employed at Johns Manville Corp. in Vienna. He worked in shipping, as maintenance scheduler, production scheduler, foreman in batch & marble dept., and finished his varied 32 year career at J-M as raw materials buyer in purchasing, taking an early retirement plan offered by management in 1984. Gene had taken the Real Estate course at WVUP in early 1984, enabling him to begin a new career as a realtor. He worked in this profession for the next 20 years until he retired from Berkshire-Hathaway in 2004. At the young age of 84, Gene was given a computer by his daughter, Karen. He learned to operate it and at the age of 86, he felt driven to write a book about Divine Interventions in his families’ and friends’ lives. Gene believed he had experienced healing from life threatening conditions through the prayers of others. These experiences, his clairvoyant mother’s predictions, angels, WW II, and local history stories are related in his book, “Mysterious Interventions.” Gene loved the outdoors and planted a garden each year. He enjoyed rock, fossil and mineral collecting, Indian artifacts, and was an amateur Geologist. He was a devoted family man and active in Good Shepherd Church and Wesley Methodist Church, where his mother played the organ and led the choir, and where he and Ethel first met. Gene was a lifetime member of the Vienna Lions Club and a past president and secretary. Gene is survived by his three daughters, Karen Lynne Simon, Charleston, WV, Debbie Jean Poole, Vienna, WV, and Janet Lelia Poole, Charlotte, NC and three grandchildren, E.J. Oesterle (Nicole), Elizabeth Dawn Oesterle, Danielle Jade Simon (Rob Spaul), all being very much loved by their grandparents. Gene is also survived by one brother, William D. Poole, Vienna and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel in May 2016; his parents, Dewey A. and E. Moynell Poole; and one brother, Charles D. Poole. A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2018 at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, Vienna, with Pastor Art Bennett and Pastor Carolyn Nettles officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Parkersburg, with full military rites by American Legion Post # 15. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2018 and one hour prior to the services Friday, November 2, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley Methodist Church, 21st Street, Vienna, WV. 26105 or the Vienna Lions Club, 3711 8th Ave., Vienna, WV. 26105.