James Dale Poor

to the family of jim poor—

my condolences and prayers to you and your family. jim had a big impact on my life as as youth while trying to find my way in the world of art. although i didn't have him as an art teacher at west junior high, he visted our art class there and at c.m.rusell high school a number of times. his visits put a real face to his personal support and the enormous support of the administration—a love for the arts accessible to everyone and anyone who wanted to...

I just found out this morning that Jim had died and that there was a memorial for him yesterday at Paris Gibson Square. I was lucky enough to be in GF schools when Jim was arts curriculum director, as were so many of my peers that became musicians, writers, dancers, actors, visual artists. I "worked for him" for five weeks back in 83-84 when I was with the Montana Arts Council's Poets in the Schools Program (back when there was such thing). He was a good friend of my dad's and a very good...

What a special person, artist, friend, teacher & boss! We have lots of great stories to share about our teaching experiences because of Jim's leadership. He taught us by example & encouraged us to reach/teach to our highest levels of achievement. He had a great sense of humor which often helped to smooth out the pressures of student shows or as we developed better art curriculums. Art teachers in our district became better artists and teachers under his direction. This great man will be...

What a special person, artist, friend, teacher & boss! We have lots of great stories to share about our teaching experiences because of Jim's leadership. He taught us by example & encouraged us to reach/teach to our highest levels of achievement. He had a great sense of humor which often helped to smooth out the pressures of student shows or as we developed better art curriculums. Art teachers in our district became better artists and teachers under his direction. This great man will be...

What a special person, artist, friend, teacher & boss! We have lots of great stories to share about our teaching experiences because of Jim's leadership. He taught us by example & encouraged us to reach/teach to our highest levels of achievement. He had a great sense of humor which often helped to smooth out the pressures of student shows or as we developed better art curriculums. Art teachers in our district became better artists and teachers under his direction. This great man will be...

Thank you my beloved uncle for all the love and laughter. I will so miss the times we spent together visiting and how much you made me laugh. Thank you for making my father's, your brother Gary's, last years of his life so wonderful by taking him on great travels and loving him so much when he was ill. Now you and your brothers and parents are together again and you are once again with your beloved daughter Julie. I will miss you so much. I am so honored to have some of your artwork. It is...

Jim was very involved with the arts at Paris Gibson Square in its early years when I worked there for the Cascade County Historical Society Museum. What an inspiring artist he was, always looking to including people in his circle of friends and students. Montana lost one of its finest contemporary artist, educator, director, and gentleman with his passing. My condolences to his family and friends.

I was an art student in the sixties at Great Falls High and CMR and had James Poor as my teacher. He was so exceptional, just out of Stanford with his abstract ideas, in a town of conservative cowboys! We loved his "outside the box" thinking and I have always given him the credit for my inspiration. Anything I accomplish in the art world started with him. His passing is sad, but when living, he connected with so many.
Rest in peace, Mr. Poor
Betty O'Connell-Potter

Many great memories of High School and beyond with Jim. A loss too soon. My condolences to his family.