Ernest ("Ernie") Eugene Poor passed away Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia.
Ernie was born February 2, 1920 to John and Callie Poor in the oil fields of Sipe Springs, Texas. Ernie grew up in Abilene, Texas, helping to support his family by working their small dairy farm, and making extra money as a golf caddy, ultimately becoming a fine golfer. He was known affectionately by his family as "Gene" while growing up in Abilene. He joined the United States Marines Corps in 1941, serving as a fighter pilot in the South Pacific during World War II and the Korean War. Transitioning to jet fighters after the war, he served as Commanding Officer of VMF-251, a squadron of F8U Crusader Jets. Ernie retired from active duty in 1964 at the rank of Lt. Col. after 24 years of military service. His decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 stars, Air Medal with 12 stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 stars, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
In 1949, he married Marguerite ("Peggy") Morris on New Year's Day in Santa Ana, California. Ernie met Peggy through her twin brother "Jiggs," also a Marine pilot who flew with Ernie. The couple raised four children while moving around the country with the military, eventually settling in Annandale, Virginia and becoming parishioners of St. Michaels Catholic Church. Ernie worked for Naval Air Systems Command in Northern Virginia from 1965 until 1982, developing pilot training programs and managing the procurement and logistic support of Flight Simulation Trainers. Ernie and Peggy spent their last years in Burke, Virginia and attended the Church of the Nativity. Ernie was an avid gardener, and delighted his nine grandchildren by helping them grow and pick vegetables and flowers in his garden. He was a hands-on grandfather until his last years of life when illness robbed him of that joy.
Ernie and Peggy marked their 60th wedding anniversary in 2009.
Peggy preceded Ernie in death on April 1, 2009 due to heart failure. His older brother, Vernon Poor, died in 1965.
Ernie is survived by his daughter Debbie MacKillop of Denver, Colorado, daughters and husbands Penny and Ken Rosenwinkel of Wheaton, Illinois, and Robin and Scott Etter of Mt. Dora, Florida, his son and his wife Michael and Kathleen Poor of Locust Grove, Virginia, his nine grandchildren Sarah, Laurie, Jamie, Rachael, Malcolm, Jeffrey, Mara, Forrest and Natalie, and great-grandson Judah born to Ben and Laurie Stellwagen. Ernie is also survived by brothers, John Lewis "J.L." Poor of Hawley, Texas, Elton Poor of Farmington, New Mexico, and his sister Janis Merrill of Abilene, Texas.
A viewing and funeral service for family and all guests will be held at 9:30am Friday, July 31, 2009, at Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 10127 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Interment with full military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery, October 27, 2009 at 1:00pm and open to all guests.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, or call 1-800-272-3900, or donate on-line at www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp
Ernie and his family are in the care of Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 10127 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Online condolences may be made at laurelhillfuneralhome.com.