Walter D. Poe Jr.

Walter Ditmars Poe Jr.
January 29, 1934 – May 22, 2025
Walter Ditmars Poe Jr., of Franklin, Indiana, passed peacefully in the early morning hours at Compass Park Indiana Masonic Home on the 22nd of May.
Born in Franklin, he was a proud graduate and 1952 valedictorian of Union High School. That same year, he married the love of his life, Patricia McClain Poe, and accepted basketball scholarships to both Franklin College and the University of New Mexico. Though he didn't go on to play basketball, he loved watching the sport his entire life.
Walter dedicated many years to the Whiteland school board while his sons were students. He served faithfully as secretary, and left a lasting mark on his community through his work as a construction superintendent on numerous local projects, including the Indianapolis Children's Museum, Indianapolis Airport, and several Johnson County schools. Later, he ran his own successful construction business in Florida, where he resided in Port Charlotte for 30 years.
Walter's life was full of passion for the outdoors and simple joys - fishing, hunting, card games, golfing, bowling, and telling ornery jokes. He was blessed to make friends wherever he went and enjoyed bringing humor to all.
He never missed a college ball game on TV and found comfort in watching classic westerns, especially John Wayne films and Gunsmoke. In quieter moments, he enjoyed feeding birds outside and reading western novels.
He is survived by his granddaughter Kelly Poe-Thompson (Clayton), great-granddaughter Meadow, and his brothers: Stanley (Carol) Poe, Daniel (Eva) Poe, and Kenneth (Brenda) Poe.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia, both sons Gregory (Douglas) and Christopher, parents Walter Sr. and Pauline Fetherengill Poe, and his sister Alberta Satter.
In honor of his life and legacy, donations may be made to the Compass Park Indiana Masonic Home. The nurses and staff of Compass Park cared for and loved Walter abundantly.