J W Poe, Jr.

June 7, 1921 - March 21, 2017

J W Poe, Jr, a Dry Ridge resident, passed away at Knight’s Personal Care in Williamstown, KY on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at the age of 95.

On June 7, 1921, in the Holbrook community, Mr. Poe was born to the late John William Poe and Ella Rose Poe. In 1943, Mr. Poe joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was on active duty until 1946. During this time he served with the 3rd Emergency Rescue Squadron during World War II. On Oct. 28, 1946, J.W. was united in marriage to his wife of 65 years, Mary Lawton (Thornton) Poe, whom preceded him in death in 2011.

He is an alumnus of the University of Kentucky where he earned a B.S. degree in 1943 and Masters Degree in Agronomy in 1957. He was a graduate of the Mason High School in Mason, KY. He worked as a UK Extension Agriculture Agent serving in Breathitt and Gallatin Counties before retiring in 1980. He was a member of the Dry Ridge Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher. He received many honors during his career including: Distinguished Service Award from National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 1960, Meritorious Service Award in 1975, and the Northern Ky Distinguished Alumnus Award from Alpha Kappa Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi in 1984, the National Honorary Extension fraternity. He is a past president of the Jackson Kiwanis Club and past Vice President of the Warsaw Lions Club and past president of the Kentucky Association of County Agricultural Agents.

He is survived by cousins, Patty Poor (Dennis) of Crittenden, KY, Roger Poe (Lori) of Dry Ridge, KY, two sister-in-laws, Ruth Ann Bateman (Bill), of Brownstown, IN; Ethel Thornton of Crescent Springs, KY, one brother in law, Louis Thornton (Pat) of Montpelier, OH and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.