The Passing of Ray Poole

OXFORD----Last of the famed Poole Brothers of Ole Miss Ray Smith Poole, Sr. passed away several weeks before his 87th birthday. He served his country during World War II with distinction in the South Pacific in the Marine Corps and fought in Saipan and Okinawa. His group was scheduled to participate in the invasion of Japan when President Harry Truman approved the use of the Atomic Bomb, bringing the end of the War.
Before the War Ray had played Football,Baseball, and Basketball at Ole Miss. After entering the service he played one year at North Carolina Pre-Flight before overseas duty. He signed a Baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs and a Football contract with the New York Giants. His older brother Buster was the best defensive end in Pro Football, just as Don Hutson was the best offensive end before the War.
Buster also served his country in World War II and was playing in New York when the announcement of Pearl Harbor took place. He resumed play with the Giants after the War, losing three prime years as did many other great players. Buster was then invited to join Johnny Vaught's coaching staff at his alma mater.
Younger Brother Barney played on Red Blaik's unbeaten Army team for three years and then returned to Ole Miss for two more years.Service time did not count, so Barney played eight years of college football. His end coach at Ole Miss was his brother Buster.
Ray played in the Canadian League after his days in New York.
The Methodist Church in Oxford was full as family and friends came to bid Ray Poole goodbye.His nephew Paige Cothren delivered a marvelous eulogy. His bride of57 years survives with two children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. Wanda Poole will miss her dear husband immensely as will all of us who cherished his friendship. He was my pal for six decades.
There were so many stories to tell which would not have been possible at the Church service.
Ray had persuaded John Vaught to use the field goal as an offensive weapon and he coached a young Paige Cothren to become one of the best in college football. Ray was also a master scout aiding the legendary Thomas King Swayze in recruiting the best players in Mississippi to come to Ole Miss.
Every one and his brother knew Ray Poole in Mississippi.He started looking at9th and l0th graders before anyone else. Ray was fired by Ken Cooper, who had replaced Billy Kinard as head football coach at Ole Miss. Earlier Cooper had recommended that Kinard replace Jim Poole as a starting end in his senior year. Later Cooper told Ray's son, Ray Jr. that he had the wrong last name to play for Ole Miss. Vaught had recommended Cooper to replace Kinard and had to eventually fire him.
Cooper wound up working for the Telephone Company.
The strength of Ole Miss' great Glory Years was recruiting. The Quarterbacks of the Glory Years were the Field Generals Charlie Conerly, Farley Salmon, Jimmy Lear, Eagle Day,Raymond Brown, Bobby Franklin, Jake Gibbs, Doug Elmore,and Glynn Griffing. Their greatest claim to fame was in Victories.
Boo Ferriss who pitched against Ray Poole in College thought that Ray Poole had the potential of a big league pitcher. Ray was scheduled to pitch against the Yankees in a Memphis exhibition game. I accompanied Butch Lambert Sr., who owned the car, the Brothers Stribling Jack and Bill to Memphis to see Ray beat Joe DiMaggio and the Yankees. The game was rained out and we went to the Peabody Hotel to invite Joe D to join us for refreshments.
We fanned out to find the Yankee Clipper. Big Bill Stribling knocked on tiny Phil Rizzuto's door and the little fellow nearly fainted when Strib asked if DiMaggio was there. I found Joe D.in a telephone booth, introduced myself and invited him to join us. He thanked me for the invitation and then said it would not look right to be drinking in public which made complete sense. I said Goodbye and my pals. I told Joe the story years later when I was working in the East.
I never asked Joe who might he be calling on a rainy afternoon in Memphis.
One day when I was working for Mississippi Southern Ray called to tell me he was coming to Hattiesburg and said we should have dinner and see what else was happening. He worked for a Sporting Goods organization after the Pro Football Season ended. Players needed an off season job in those days.
When I met Ray at a restaurant he asked what was happening? I said Absolutely nothing. No ball games, nothing, except for the electric chair execution of a little fellow, with a big fat girl friend who had killed two cops in a robbery. With nothing else to do, Ray Poole and I went to the Execution. Ray said he did not think the little fellow was ready to go.
Ray Poole like Barney played at Ole Miss before and after the war. In 1946 Ray was not only the Football Captain but elected Colonel Rebel as well.
I will miss Ray Poole. So will many, many others. who were privileged to have known him.
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