John Poarch

POARCH, John Thomas, 91, of Richmond, died May 9, 2011 after a long but valiant struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Wade and Mary Perkins Poarch; infant daughter, Pamela Gail; two brothers, Broaddus and Vollie Poarch; and three sisters, Henrietta P. Jones, Pauline P. Tudor and Margaret Ione Helms. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 70 years, Gaynelle Lee Poarch; son, John T. Poarch II; daughter, Kimberly P. Riley and her husband, Bob; two beloved grandchildren, Emily A. and Philip M. Riley, all of Richmond; two brothers, Raymond Lehner Poarch of Sussex and William S. "Billy" Poarch and his wife, Mary, of Jarratt; and several nieces and nephews. Born July 17, 1919 in Sussex County, Mr. Poarch served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and moved permanently to Richmond in 1951. He was a well-respected realtor and custom home builder as the owner of J.T. Poarch and Co. Realtors and J.T. Poarch Construction Company for nearly 50 years. He was a member of Westover Baptist Church for 60 years, where he also served as a deacon and Building Chair for many years. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World, the National Association of Realtors, and a founding member of Willow Oaks Country Club. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., where his funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, with Rev. Dr. Stephen Richerson officiating. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Care Alternatives, 6802 Paragon Place, Suite 103, Richmond, Va. 23230, or Westover Baptist Church.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.