Donald Lee Poore was state singles tennis champion in 1949
COLUMBIA — Donald Lee Poore of Columbia died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. He was 79.
Mr. Poore was born Dec. 20, 1931, to Lora Lee (Dysart) and Thomas Clifton Poore.
He dedicated much of his time to sports while he was a student at Hickman High School. He was the Missouri state singles tennis champion in 1949 and played on Hickman's baseball, basketball and football teams.
After graduating, he continued to dedicate much of his time to baseball and softball. He played for the Moberly Chiefs, a fast-pitch softball team, into his 60s, his son Kevin Poore said.
Despite his allergy to fish, Mr. Poore had a love for fishing. He battled this contradiction with a catch and release program he had developed.
"He never kept the fish," Kevin Poore said.
Mr. Poore spent four years in the Army, serving in the Korean War. After his service, he returned to MU to complete his bachelor's degree.
Aside from his time in the Army, Mr. Poore spent his entire life in Columbia. He worked as an assistant city engineer for the city until he left to work for Rock Hill Asphalt as an estimator. Through a series of buyouts, Mr. Poore was employed by four different companies. He resigned from APAC, or Ashland Oil, in 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Jane; four children, Kimberly Shaw Brown, and her husband, Chuck, of Ashland, Kevin Poore, and his wife, Cheryl, of Columbia, Carl "C.J." Poore, also of Columbia, and Kelsey Poore of Jefferson City; a sister, Doris Cottle of Tulsa, Okla.; and four grandchildren.
A daughter, Tamara Kay Romero, died earlier.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Ave. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Memorial contributions can be made to American Heart Association, 104 Corporate Lake Drive, Columbia MO 65203-7170 or Welcome Home Inc., P.O. Box 1407, Columbia MO 65205-1407.
Condolences can be posted at bachyager.com.
