John Thomas Poulson

John Thomas Poulson was born at Fort Mott, Salem, New Jersey on November 30, 1932. His parents' were Elmer Poulson and Virginia Hoyle. John was the second oldest in a family of 10 children. His father passed away when he was a young boy and he was exclusively reared by his mother in Camden, New Jersey. John Poulson was led to come to know the Lord at the age of 12, where he was baptized at Nazareth Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As a teenager growing up in Camden, he and his older brother David did not go out as much with the other kids dancing because, as the story goes, when his mother asked him and his older brother, why they were not out dancing with kids his age. Both boys explained that they did not know how to dance and so it was their mother, Virginia who taught them how to dance. Armed with this newfound knowledge, John his brother became instantly popular as they began creating their own dance steps. They were more than capable to control the dance floor. Yes, it is true, he could cut a rug. In fact Johnny as he was known, could probably out dance; Fred Astaire, the Nicholas Brothers, and probably hold his own against Michael Jackson when he was in his prime. John's talent allowed him to win numerous dance contests. He, his brother, cousins Alfred and Leo hung out so much and were party favorites and they created their own persona and called themselves the Seagram Brothers after the sloe gin "Seagram seven".

John went on to graduate and gain his diploma from Camden high school, whereupon he was hired by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Were he worked until he was drafted in the Army. His service was from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean conflict. He was a paratrooper and obtained a honorable discharge. After his discharge, he went resumed his work with RCA for 36 ½ years before he retired.

In 1955 John married the love of his life Mertice Smith at her mother's home in Camden, New Jersey. Although they were only given six months to survive their marriage; it lasted 58 years and to their union six children were born: Ronald, Rhonda, John, Darren, Marvin, and Tarita.

In 1956 John became a Prince-Hall, Mason, and in 1962 joined St. Paul Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey as church trustee. John was ordained Deacon in December 1962 at St. Paul Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey.

After retiring from RCA in 1989, John and Mertice relocated to Southern California in the town of Perris. He worked at several different security jobs until his health began to fail him.

From 1989 to 2005 John and his wife were members of Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles. They united with Crossroads Christian church in Corona, California in 2005 and were faithful members at the time of John's passing.

John fondest hobby was being a ham operator whose call sign: WA2PVH could be heard all around the globe as he spoke to different countries. He would even listen to the early space shots on his radio, as well as, listen to the transmissions between astronauts and NASA. This was before the age of communication security.

His other hobbies included photography and the collection of cameras. John also liked technology and when men of a lesser age know nothing about computers or are not willing to learn how they work; John used to build his own. John had a thirst for knowledge, and a zest for life. He taught his children to never stop learning and growing. He urged them to learn a little bit about everything that you come across so you are able to hold a conversation with people without being an expert in the subject.

John's departure from this life to the life eternal was on June 14, 2014, it has left a void in the lives of his family, his friends and the lives that he has touched. He leaves behind his wife, Mertice Poulson; children, Ronald (Dulcisima) Poulson, Rhonda Middleton, John (Kia) Poulson, Darren Poulson, Marvin (Joyce) Poulson, and Tarita (Michael) Spells; siblings, David (Mertis) Poulson, Alexis (Graham) Murphy, and Patricia Poulson; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct your paths