Joseph L Pooley

Joseph (Lee) Pooley was born on May 25, 1938. He is survived by his wife Nancy, a daughter Robin Pipkins of Jacksonville, a son Michael Lee Jones of Las Vegas, stepchildren Jerry Maulin of Columbus IND , Terry Maulin of Tomball TX, Angela Allender of Dallas TX, and Heather Schuman of Olathe KS. There are 15 grandchildren and 5 great grand children. Lee enlisted in the Navy in 1957. He retired from the Navy after his years of service. He was in fighter squadron 103. He was on the USS Forrestal, the USS Saratoga, and various other Navy ships. Upon his retirement from the Navy he worked Civil Service at NADAP Jacksonviille Florida as a jet engine mechanic. He retired there after his 20 plus years. Many knew him as Mr. Lee, some knew him as Cowboy, a few knew him as Opa, and all knew him as friend.

Nancy and Lee met through their love of horses and animals. They enjoyed going boating and fishing renting a boat from the Navy Base. Often they would take it down to the Landing in Jacksonville and tie up and go to lunch at one of the restaurants there. Sometimes they would go fishing on the pier at St. Augustine. They took their horses on trail rides, horse shows, to the beach, and overnight camp outs.

The first year of Lee’s married life to Nancy he brought her home one long stemmed yellow rose every week. He knew yellow roses were her favorite and always made sure he had a dozen for her on anniversaries. He was totally devoted to her and everyone said when he talked about her his eyes just lit up. They were certainly made for each other.

They had mutual friends in a group called the Friendly 50’s. When the fellows approved of Lee, as they were all like Nancy’s brothers, they wanted to give them a wedding in Branson MO. They were married in Roy Clark’s loft. Three of the ladies were matrons of honor and one fellow was best man. They are all still friends to this day. Some live here in Jacksonville while others live all over the United States and Canada.

He was a friend to everyone and knew no stranger. Those who met him never forgot him. Lee would tell them his childhood dream was to be like Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, and Gene Autry. Lee did indeed become a cowboy. He rescued his horse Born To Be Bright, nick named Cody at the age of 9. Cody was nearly starved to death but is still here at the age of 35. Lee is on the Board Of Directors of the North Florida Arabian Club and was so proud to deck Cody up in his red white and blue tack and present the American Flag at the horse shows. He also was the club’s PR person and would talk to the kids and adults who were nervous at the shows helping them to relax and just enjoy their horse and others around them. He made so many lasting friends at these shows. Many of those kids are now adults and have sent their respect and love for him to his wife Nancy. He loved being in the parades and taking Cody over to the small children along the way. He so loved sharing his Cody with everyone. If he saw a handicapped child and it was ok with the parents he would put the child in front of them and tell his Cody horse, “Precious cargo” and Cody would walk like he was on egg shells. Between the two of them they taught many to ride and lose their fear of horses, kids and adults alike. They were a true team those two.

He would take his two Granddaughters Christina and Sierra to their barrel racing frolics with their horses on Friday and Saturday night. He also served as President of the Rainbow Riders. They would go yearly to the Sherriff’s Boys Ranch taking the horses and dogs along. And when he and Nancy got married she was included in this adventure. He also would go team pinning with his Cody horse and the girls. They shared his love of horses as much as he did.

His past times in the evenings were spent watching the mares in foal on the Freeland Gypsy horse farm in Arkansas on his computer watching their camcorders on the mares. He and Nancy would help watch during the night hours for signs of upcoming births. Through the chat they both became part of the Freeland family. During his last days at the Care Center it helped him communicate with them on his laptop. He watched one of the mares giving birth while he was there and was so proud to show the nurses the new foal. The nurses there called him ‘cowboy’ as Nancy made several pages of his photos with his horse so he could show those at the Care Center. He and Nancy have made many friends through their Freeland family from all over the world.

He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 8255 and enjoyed visiting with his comrades and friends when he was able. He and Nancy loved playing poker with them Tuesday nights. They also built his wheel chair lamp for him.

His Celebration of Life will be at the VFW Post 8255, Aster Ave, Middleburg Florida, 32068. The Celebration will be on Sunday March 23rd at 1:00pm. The VFW will provide a meat tray. Anyone attending who would like to bring a side dish is welcome to do so. This is a very casual gathering. Lee would want it to be that way. In lieu of flowers an account has been set up with Vystar, Middleburg Florida in Lee’s Memory.

Arrangements under the direction of Holly Hill Funeral Home, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, FL.904-282-9336