El Pomar honors late Jim Poole [The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.]

Sept. 28--Five years after her husband's death, Marty Poole still hears the stories and kind words.

"We are continually reminded by people and friends of the impact Jim made in their lives and the community," she said. "We still get people who tell us they miss him."

James F. Poole died in 2008. He was 72.

On Friday, the late Poole was inducted into the Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room at El Pomar's Penrose House in Colorado Springs.

The ceremony was Friday in Colorado Springs.

The cultural room was established in 2005 as an extension of the Emerging Leaders Program. It's dedicated to honoring the contributions of African American, Hispanic/ Latino, Asian and Native Americans in Southern Colorado.

"He was an amazing father, grandfather and friend," Mrs. Poole said. "As his family, we are truly humbled, proud and honored that after a very significant competition, he was selected as an inductee."

Poole was a longtime Pueblo businessman, active Democrat, tal-

ented singer and family man.

He taught mathematics at Central High School for five years, then became a self-employed investment adviser. He ran James F. Poole Associates Inc. for more than 40 years.

A staunch Democrat, Poole was appointed to the first State Insurance Board by then-Gov. Richard Lamm; was the state treasurer for the Colorado Democratic Party; served as a board member of the Colorado State Centennial Commission; and was a state delegate to the Democratic National Convention more than once.

Locally, he served on boards for Spanish Peaks Mental Health Center, City Planning and Zoning Commission, Small Business Administration, Historic Arkansas River Project, and Pueblo African American Concern Organization, to name a few.

A talented baritone singer, Poole sang at the inauguration for Gov. Roy Romer and, while in the U.S. Army, had a solo part with the NORAD Aradcom Choral group while recording an album at New York City's Carnegie Hall.

In 2011, Poole was inducted into the Pueblo Hall of Fame.

nickb@chieftain.com

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