SSG James Clifton Pool, USA, Retired, 73, passed away December 27, 2023, in Fort Dodge, Kansas. He was born September 15, 1950, in Gilmer, Texas to Clifton and Zorene (Byrd) Pool.

James grew up in Big Sandy, Texas with his aunt and uncle, Dorotha Byrdand Dale Willis. He was a 1969 graduate of Big Sandy High School. He went on to further his education at Kilgore Jr. College and Stephen F. Austin State University.

James joined the Army in 1972 and went on to serve 8 ½ years active duty in Alabama, Korea, West Germany, and Louisiana. He completed his Army career in the Texas National Guard, for a total of 21 years served. In addition to the Army, James worked most of his adult life as an IT consultant in the Houston area and retired as a rural mail carrier at the Tomball, Texas post office.

Family who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter, Angela Pool-Funai of Hays, Kansas; his sister, Julia Zillmer of Houston, Texas; grandsons, Aidan Funai, Jeremy Funai, Donovan Pool, Riley Pool, Ryan Funai; and great grandson, Jasper James Pool. Also, he cherished his Willis cousins with whom he shared a childhood home, Sherry Willis Johnson, Don Willis, and Melanie Willis Shelton.

James was preceded in death by his son, James Nathan Pool; his parents, Clifton and Zorene Pool; his aunt and uncle, Dorotha and Dale Willis; and his cousin he grew up with like a brother, B.J. Willis.

He will be interred at the Fort Dodge Veterans Cemetery with a private graveside service with military honors by the KSARNG Honor Guard and the SWKS Veterans Funeral Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), of which James was a proud lifetime member through Post 2427 in Tomball, Texas.