John Mckee Poole, Jr.

John McKee Poole Jr., 85, of Oriental passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Fulton.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Juliana Poole; two sons, John McKee Poole III and wife, Barbara, of Raleigh and Ralph L. Poole and fiancee’, Cindy, of Wilmington; daughter, Donna P. Kessler and husband, Brian, of Reelsboro; stepson, Joel Kirschner and wife, Tina, of Clarksville, Ga.; step-daughter, Jennifer Kirschner of Asheville; sister, Shirley Jordan and husband, Leon, of Raleigh; fourteen grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

John owned and operated Poole’s Pie Shop in Raleigh for 20 years before moving to Oriental. Then with a partner he founded Oriental’s School of Sailing. He went on to ownership and operation of the school for 21 years.

John was a kind, loving, gentle soul. He had a great passion for sailing, a passion he shared with students through the years. He was an inspiration that helped others obtain their dream and to believe in themselves.

A memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m., Saturday, August 13th in the meeting room at Brantley’s Village Restaurant. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the service at Brantley’s.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Bill Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Pamlico Hurricanes Booster Club, Inc., 507 Anderson Dr., Bayboro, NC 28515.