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James Poor Obituary
Kalispell —James Dale Poor, 77, of Kalispell, Montana went to be with our Heavenly Father, on Monday, February 3, 2014. He was born to the late Cecil "Floyd" and Lynn Poor on July 24, 1936 in Livingston, Montana.
Jim was Christian and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. His life's story was painted literally and figuratively as a man perfectly happy with his place in the universe, and as a loving father, grandfather and teacher who left much to all of those who were touched by his art and creativity.
Jim married the love of his life, Esther Marie Gettel in 1955 and they lived and raised their family in Great Falls before relocating to Helena and finally to Kalispell, Montana.
Jim received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art and Secondary Education from Eastern Montana College; Billings, Montana and a Master of Arts Degree at Stanford University, California. He further studied M.S.U., Bozeman and did Ph.D. coursework in Art Education at the UofO Eugene, Oregon. Jim taught art in Great Falls before becoming Art Superintendent for Great Falls Public Schools from 1968 - 1989. During this time he served as Acting Director School of Art, Montana State University, Bozeman. He was honored as MT Art Teacher of the Year by the MT Arts Education Association in 1981 and received the MT Governor's Award in 1985. He was honored as the MT Arts Administrator of the year by the MT Art Education Association before retiring from Great Falls Public Schools in 1989 and moving to Helena. There he actively maintained his art studio and continued to exhibit his work throughout the state.
Jim held numerous accomplishments including Past President of the MT Institute of the Arts Foundation; National Art Education Association; National Art Education Association for the MT Office of Public Instruction and the MT Arts Council; Past Chairman of the MT Cultural Advocacy; member of MT Alliance for Art. Jim's life work was to create, share and teach art and the importance of art in every aspect of life.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Gary and Stanley and his daughter, Julie O'Dell. He is survived by his wife, Esther Poor; his son, Brad Poor and family of Helena; his daughter, Libby Sutherland and family of Columbia Falls; his son, Eric and family of Billings; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all of his loving family. The family suggests donations be made to the Paris Gibson Square, Great Falls, Montana or your local museum.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on March 8, 2014 at 4:00 pm at Paris Gibson Square in Great Falls, Montana.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Jim's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Jim's Tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Poor
Craig Davidson
March 11, 2014
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 participate. during my last year of art and design school in bozeman, he took the time to send a message to me through my dad that he was happy i was still pursuing the arts and choosing it as a life. who but jim would reach out so many years later to connect, and i'm thinking there are thousands of other former great falls students who have the same story.
jim and his art were truly one of a kind. he will be greatly missed.
c. davidson
Scott Davidson
March 9, 2014
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 man. 1989 was a sad year for the arts in GF. Those of us lucky enough to be part of his world when he was there full-time are all indebted to him and we are all his legacy. My deep sympathies to his family
Anita Ronning
February 20, 2014
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 greatly missed! Thanks, Jim, for all you did!
Anita Ronning
February 20, 2014
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 greatly missed! Thanks, Jim, for all you did!
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Anita Ronning
February 20, 2014
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 greatly missed! Thanks, Jim, for all you did!
Kellie Batista
February 18, 2014
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 cherished. I so love you. Say hi to Dad for me:)
John Staub
February 17, 2014
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.
Betty Potter
February 17, 2014
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
Terry Ingebrigtson
February 16, 2014
Many great memories of High School and beyond with Jim. A loss too soon. My condolences to his family.
Don Erickson
February 16, 2014
Rest in Peace Jim. High School Classmate, teammate, friend. College roommate. My sincere condolences to the family. We lost a good one.
Phyllis Wilcox
February 16, 2014
I was the secretary at CMR when Jim was working in Great Falls. He was a true gentleman and great to work with. My sympathy to his family.
Fern Nelson
February 16, 2014
Poor family,
I am so sorry to learn of Jim's passing; we both taught in Gt. Falls--he at GF High and I at CMR. I did not know Jim well, but knew that he was a talented man and respected by all his colleagues. May pleasant memories sustain you during this difficult time. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. My sympathy, Fern Nelson
Mike Radovich
February 16, 2014
Brad, so sorry for your loss. God Bless.
Kathrine Jenkins
February 16, 2014
This was so sad to read of Mr Poor's passing. He was my art teacher in West Junior High in Great Falls. It was he that gave me a love for art and all the forms it could take - from salt block sculptures to painting with dots. Even making art by welding chunks of leftover metal together to make a sculpture for the atrium that was at West Jr High. Wonder if it is still there? That you Mr Poor, you were a great teacher. My condolences to your family.
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