James Robert Poole

James Robert Poole, 88, of Salisbury, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.

James was born January 13, 1937 in Rowan County, the son of the late Oddis Theodore Poole and Ethel Viola Oddie Poole.

James was a 1955 graduate of Granite Quarry School and Ball's Auto and Diesel College in Nashville, Tennessee. He also attended Rowan Cabarrus Community College for two years. He worked for Carolina Tractor in Charlotte and Salisbury for 19 years and Reynolds Metal, later changed to Ball Metal, for 21 years. He was a member of the American Legion Livengood Peeler Wood Post #448 of Granite Quarry and had just recently changed his membership to Rockwell Amvets Post # 0112. He served in the U.S. Army for two years, with one year in Korea.

James was a member of St. Lukes Reformed Church, the men's Brotherhood, the Brownie Fisher Sunday School Class, a former church council member, deacon, elder and trustee. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, raising plants in his greenhouse and spending with his family and especially his grandchildren by attending their sport activities.

Preceding him in death are his parents and his brother Oddis (Bill) T. Poole. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gurnell (Nell) Peeler Poole, daughters Traci L. Eller and husband David, Robin S. Forbis and husband Ashley, and brother Rickey (Rick) D. Poole and wife Jenny of Salisbury, four grandchildren, McKenzie Lyerly (Graham), Grayson Eller, Dylan Forbis and Logan Forbis.



The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at St. Luke's Reformed Church, 1175 St. Luke's Church Road, Salisbury, conducted by Rev. Jon Schell and Rev. Johnny Boggs.



Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Rowan County Veteran's Honor Guard.



Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Reformed Church, 1175 St. Luke's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.

Powles Staton Funeral Home of Rockwell, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care, is assisting the Poole family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.