Hugh James Poland

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Willia Mae Poland, and by a sister, Bertha Mae Shattuck. He is survived by his wife, Betty Sue Poland of Kingwood, one sister, Brenda Dickey, of Houston, by two sons and their families:

Hugh and Karen Poland of Kingwood, and Gerry and Jamie Poland of Atascocita, and by six grandchildren, Kayse, Jayme, Destiny, Alex, Ally, and Jonn Paul, and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews who remember him.

Hugh was a true native Houstonian who was born in a house in the Heights on Petty Street, the second of three children. After graduating from Jeff Davis High School in 1945, he joined the Army Air Corps, where he split time as a cable-splicing instructor for airplane mechanics, and where he played trumpet in Air Force Bands. He was honorably discharged in 1948.

Upon his return to Houston, Hugh served with his father as a plumber on various construction projects. In 1957 mutual friends introduced him to his wife, Betty. They were married in August of 1957. A back injury on the job led Hugh to leave the plumbing trade and return to college. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts from Sam Houston State University in 1961, and earned a Masters in Library Science from Louisiana State University in 1963.

Hugh served as a librarian at the college level at various institutions, including Mobile Baptist College, Southwest TX St. University, and Trinity University. He moved his family to Deer Park in 1976 to enter private business, and was the owner of Northshore Medical Supplies on Maxey Road in Houston until the late 1980’s, when he retired.

Visitation will be Monday, May 6, 2013 from 5-8pm. Funeral Services will be held at 3pm, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Interment will follow in Brookside Memorial Park.