A longtime resident of Pasco, Washington, Jimmy Lee Poe was born July 21, 1952 at Humansville, Missouri to Elton and Juanita Poe. He had fond memories of his childhood living on the farms at Bolivar and Humansville. Jimmy graduated in 1970 from Blaine High School, in Blaine, Washington.
In 1971 Jimmy joined the Air Force. He had his training at the United States Air Force Base in Lackland Texas. When he completed Basic Training he was transferred for more training to Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, the headquarters of the Technical Training Center. Jimmy was a mechanic Weapons Training in the 410, Munitions Maintenance, Squadron of SAC, a combat support group. He maintained the Gatling Guns, also maintenance and loading of bombs onto B-52s. Jimmy was then sent and stationed at the Philippines and also in Okinawa.
Jimmy was very proud of his service to our country and would say his only regret about serving was he wished he had stayed in longer. He had concerns and worries about our young men and women taking too many tours in Afghanistan.
Jimmy worked at various jobs through his short life of 61 years in the Tri City area. He enjoyed most the years he drove 19-wheelers, long hauling. The jobs took him north, south, east and west. He was not a bragger but was proud of achieving commendations awards for having perfect driving records for 5 years; no accidents, log books in order at weigh stations, no over-weights and having everything in order. He told Yvonne that one company he worked for always directed him into weigh stations for checks no matter what state he was in because it had had a history of violations but he was okay with that.
Jimmy enjoyed fishing, hunting, baseball, NASCAR and Hydroplane races that would come to the Tri-Cities. Football was his favorite. He would have been so excited to have watched the Seahawks in the playoffs and Super Bowl. I am sure he has a better seat now than any of us.
The fellowship and camaraderie he gained in the military and by driving semi-trucks molded him into a very caring honest and soft-hearted individual. He treasured the times he could be with family, friends and his 4-legged companion, Bullet.
Jimmy is survived by the center of his life, his son, Ryan Lee Poe; his sister Yvonne and her husband Bill Cabe; his sister, Mary Ann and her husband Gary Duvall; his brother, Don Poe; his niece Carla, her husband Jeff Pheasant and their children Thomas, Riley and Megan; and niece Betty Cabe and her children Madison, Chandler, Callahan and Berkley.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at Washington State Veterans Cemetery 21702 W. Espanola Road, Medical Lake, WA 99022.