Sam Pool

Friends and family will greatly miss Dr. Sam Lee Pool , 75, of Nassau Bay, Texas, who passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2013. Born in 1937 to Sam O. and Edith Pool, Sam completed high school and college each in three years, double majoring in math and physics at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He then attended the University of Oklahoma Medical School. Upon graduating from medical school, Sam served as a flight surgeon in the United States Navy. Sam married the love of his life, Jane, in 1961. They, and their two young daughters, settled in Houston in 1968, when Sam joined NASA, Johnson Space Center, as a medical officer. He was a pioneer in space medicine and remained with NASA until his retirement.
When his daughters were young, Sam began a tradition of taking his family on extended summer road trips, visiting most of the continental United States and Alaska along the way. He continued this tradition with his grandchildren, sharing tales of his early travel experiences as he guided them through some of our country's natural wonders. Sam and his wife, Jane, also traveled internationally, visiting much of Europe, Asia and Australia.
Sam had a lifelong love of learning, taking time later in his career to attend Harvard Business School. He shared this passion with his grandchildren, teaching them to play chess, helping them conduct science experiments, and discussing history, mathematical and scientific principles with them. He was also a private pilot, who enjoyed taking his grandchildren flying with him and teaching them about the plane and the mechanics of flight.
Among his other interests, Sam enjoyed going to the Bonneville Salt Flats every year to participate in the land speed trials as the official videographer for a record breaking motorcycle team. He also regularly attended his grandchildren's many sporting events; he enjoyed operating his ham radio; and he spent countless hours with friends and family rebuilding engines and restoring old cars.
Sam was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Jane Pool. He is survived by his daughter Keli Roper, her husband, Jeff and their two sons, Evan and Ryan; and daughter Elizabeth Stevens, her husband, Bill and their two children, Bryan and Claire.
Visitation will be held at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546 on Thursday, September 26, 2013 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at the Friendswood United Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546 with Rev. Jim Bass officiating. Sam will be laid to rest at the Ozan Cemetery in Nashville, AR at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the Pool family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.