Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 16, 2022

CHARLOTTE – James Callan Poore, 91, of Charlotte, NC died at home with family Saturday, April 16, 2022.  He was born on January 24, 1931, in Takoma Park, MD, to Elizabeth Callan Poore and Clarence I. Poore, and an older sister.  

Jim grew up in NW Washington, DC, where a tight-knit and lifelong friend group called themselves “The Seventh Street Kids”.  He attended Roosevelt High School, graduating with the class of 1949.  During high school, he met the love of his life and wife of 71 years, Barbara Jean Heller.  They married in 1951.  Jim joined the Air Force in 1952 and served in Korea and Japan, before returning stateside to be stationed in California and Wyoming.  After leaving the service, the couple returned to the D.C. area where Jim attended the University of Maryland and with a concentration in Journalism, he received a B.S. in Public Relations in 1960.  Following graduation, he joined Ford Motor Company as a Territory Manager for DC, MD, and VA.  During his time with Ford there were many exciting events most notably, the launch of the Mustang in 1964.  Jim then went on to work for the U.S. Government, for the General Services Administration in Fleet Management and Procurement.  He retired in 1991. Jim and Barbara lived over 30 years in Laurel, MD, where they raised their two children. After retiring, they made their home on Crane’s Creek on the Northern Neck of Virginia, off the Chesapeake Bay.  There they enjoyed great friendships, watching the tides, crabbing off their pier and taking in the abundant wildlife around them. They moved to Charlotte in 2017 to be closer to their daughter. 

Jim loved a road trip. He and Barbara happily drove to visit their grandchildren often and took many vacations where they have visited all 50 states. Jim, a self-proclaimed car guy, loved anything on wheels, and was known to ask frequently, “what kind of car do you drive?”.  He enjoyed following NASCAR, always cheering for the Ford teams, keeping up with the latest Automotive News and new car model launches, and collecting classic car models.  He loved all kinds of music from big bands, to jazz and rock-n-roll, and staying current with new music.  He and Barbara were avid Washington sports fans rooting for both the baseball and football teams.  They especially enjoyed tailgating at football games and went to the Superbowl in 1983 to see their team win. Jim enjoyed a long and happy life and he loved spending time with his family and friends.  There was no better time than an afternoon on the water, picking Chesapeake Bay crabs and having a nice cold beer.

Jim was predeceased two weeks ago by his wife Barbara.  He is survived by his daughter, Carol Gray-Adler and her husband, Jim Adler of Charlotte, NC and his son, Thomas Poore and his wife, Brenda Poore of Laurel, MD.  Also surviving are his four grandchildren, Andrew Gray of Laurel, MD, Courtney Gray of Chicago, IL, Daniel Poore of Baltimore, MD and Ryan Poore of Laurel, MD.

The family is planning a private memorial gathering at a future date.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.