Kenneth Jim Poole

Kenneth Jim Poole loved father and paw-pa passed peacefully June 29, 2026, following a fight with pancreatic cancer. Jim was born August 19, 1944, in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Laura Ellen Reed and Kenneth Jim Pool Sr., and spent his childhood surrounded by his large extended family. 

As a young adult he and his young family moved to California where he worked various jobs until December 28,1967 when he enlisted in the Marine Corp at the Alfred P Murrah building in Oklahoma City. After enlisting he was immediately shipped off to Camp Pendleton, California where he was placed in "M" Company 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry training Regiment for Marine Corps Boot Camp. He graduated in August of 1968 then went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for MOS School to become a 1345 Equipment Operator. Shortly after MOS School, he was shipped out to serve in the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, Jim served with H&S Co, 3rd Shore Party BN, 3rd Marine Division (REIN). While serving in Vietnam he received a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars, and a Presidential Unit Citation from the Marine Corp as well as a Cross of Gallantry from the South Vietnamese.

 After serving 13 months in Vietnam, he then returned to the United States and was assigned to 29 Palms under the A Co (REIN) 7th Engineer BN where he would conclude his active-duty service as a Corporal in December of 1971. While serving at 29 Palms Marine Corp Base he met Christine Martin. They quickly fell in love, were married and together for 55 years. They moved back to Shawnee, Oklahoma where they lived the rest of their lives raising their two daughters Laura Dawn and Helen Marie. Jim served in the Marine Corp Reserves From 1979 to 1980 while working as a long-haul truck driver. Upon entering the reserves, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on June 26, 1979. He continued his public service as a volunteer firefighter in Bethel Acres serving as assistant chief. After retirement he spent many hours driving the veteran shuttle. 

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Christine, daughter Helen Marie, his parents and parent-in-laws. 

Left to remember him are his daughter and son-in-law Dawn and Bryan Byrd. Grandchildren Robert Charvat, Jason Charvat, Nicole Byrd, Scott Kennedy, Daniel Charvat, Michael Byrd, Hunter Kennedy and Kayla Kennedy. Great-grandchildren Payton and Synthia Charvat, Matthew "Trey" Kennedy, and Aiden Wright. As well as his sisters Terry and Nancy and brother David. 

Jim and his family will be forever grateful to his health companions Amy Miller and Kristen Timmons and his Hospice nurses Leslie Redwine and Jama Roper who made his final months so much easier for him and became family to us.