James Richard Poole

CAPT James R. Poole, USN (Ret.), age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 26, 2024, at his home in Alexandria, Va. under hospice care for Parkinson’s. Jim was a natural leader, an outstanding naval officer, a gentleman, and a family man. He loved his naval career, Navy football, golf - and the love of his life, Virginia Ruth Gillen of Brooklyn, Mi. They were married 43 years. Jim was born on March 13, 1935, in Cleveland, Oh. to James Selby Poole and Gladys Evelyn Taylor. He was from a well-traveled United States Navy family when he entered The Ohio State University in 1952. Captain Poole received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. in 1953 and graduated with the Class of 1957. Following graduation, Jim completed duty as the 15th Company Officer indoctrinating the incoming members of the Class of 1961. His first sea duty assignment was aboard the USS O’HARE (DDR-889) serving as Gunnery Officer until June 1959 when he attended Submarine School in New London, Ct. Upon completion of Submarine School, Captain Poole reported to USS ARGONAUT (SS-475) serving in a variety of billets leading to his qualification in submarines. He subsequently served in USS TORSK (SS-423) as Weapons Officer and Operations Officer. He next attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Ca. where he received an Electrical Engineering degree. Jim reported to USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN-657) (GOLD) and completed two POLARIS deterrent patrols before becoming the Executive Officer on the USS GRAMPUS (SS-523). In March 1970 he reported to the Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet Staff (COMSUBLANT) in Norfolk, Va. as Strategic Missile Systems Officer where he served until September 1971. In September 1973 Jim served as Executive Officer in USS CAMDEN (AOE-2) for two years before assuming command of USS NORTON SOUND (AVM-1) in Port Hueneme, Ca. where he participated in the first at-sea tests of the AEGIS Weapon System. Following command of the USS NORTON SOUND in 1975, he reported to the AEGIS Shipbuilding Project (PMS-400), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Arlington, Va. where he served as Test and Evaluation Manager and Fleet Introduction Manager until 1978. Continuing his association with the AEGIS Program, Jim next served as the NAVSEA Technical Representative for AEGIS at the RCA Engineering and Production Facility in Moorestown, N. J. until November 1981. He completed his active-duty career as the Deputy for Operations at the United States Naval Academy in February 1985. Jim continued supporting the Navy as a consultant after his retirement. He worked for Advanced Technology, Incorporated in Arlington, Va. for three years before establishing Poole Enterprises, Incorporated. Upon retirement Captain Poole lived in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria, Va. Jim is survived by his wife Virginia Gillen, sister Heather Pollock and her two children, Zackary (Max) and Taylor (Lydia), first wife Doris Mae Davies and their two children, Mark (Jennifer) (Beth) and Ruth (Dr. Richard Henshaw), three grandchildren, Mark Jr., Christopher (Alex), and Elizabeth (Christopher), and four great-grandchildren (Henry, Christopher, Charles, and James). A Remembrance Service will be held October 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, Va. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choosing. “The Captain” answered the last call…Fair winds and following seas. Go Navy Beat Army!!