GLOSTER — Services for Oliver L. Poole Sr., 87, of Ruston, La., formerly of Gloster, who died Saturday, June 27, 2009, in Ruston, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gloster United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Pyles officiating.
Burial will follow at Roseland Cemetery in Gloster under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Gloster.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. Poole was born April 18, 1922, in Gloster, the son of Farley “Boss” Poole and Mazie Huff Poole. He was a former teacher and high school and junior college football coach.
Mr. Poole was a graduate of Crosby High School. He played football at the University of Mississippi. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. While in the V-12 program, where he played a year of football for the University of North Carolina, he was All-State, All-Southern Conference and AP Honorable Mention All-American. He also played professional football for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Colts and Detroit Lions.
Oliver coached junior college and high school in Mississippi and Louisiana, spending most of his time as a teacher and coach in Jonesville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Avis Jean Poole.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Gayle S. Poole; one daughter, Peggy Gilmore and husband, Danny; one son, Lamar Poole and wife, Meghan; one sister, Murl Strong; and a number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.