Wayne Pool

Wayne Walter Pool, 93, of Blunt, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre, SD.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blunt.

Wayne was born on November 5, 1923, the youngest of five children of Ray and Kathryn (Sylvester) Pool. He attended Sunny View School for 8 years and Blunt High School for 4 years graduating in 1941. After graduating, Wayne went to New Philadelphia, OH and worked as a bill collector for his uncle. WWII started and Wayne went to work for the Timken Roller Bearing Co. at Canton, OH. In the fall of 1942 Wayne came back to Blunt and in February 1943 he enlisted into the Army. Basic training was at Camp Roberts, CA. At the end of basic training, he boarded a ship and headed to Rockhampton Australia where he joined the 163rd regiment of the Forty First Infantry Division. They had jungle training for a few months and boarded a ship for New Guinea where on April 22, 1944 the unit made a beach landing on the island of Aitape. When the island was secure the unit continued up the New Guinea coast making several beach landings before arriving in the Philippines. The unit was preparing to set sail for Japan when the war ended. They still went to Japan but as a peace keeping force. While in Japan, Wayne had the opportunity to tour Hiroshima where the first atomic bomb was dropped. In December 1945 most of the unit set sail for the USA and landed at Seattle WA on New Year’s Eve. The unit Wayne was in was originally a National Guard Company from eastern Montana. Transportation was so bad the trip to Ft. Leavenworth, KS was in a box car via railroad. Wayne was discharged January 9, 1946 at Ft. Leavenworth. He was chosen as one of the veterans for the first Honor Flight from South Dakota, flying to Washington DC to be honored for their service in WWII.

Returning to South Dakota, he worked for the SD Wool Growers in Brookings and Minneapolis learning how to grade wool. He then drove truck for Pete Parks and Erv Korkow until July 7, 1949 when he started working for Central Electric Coop which later became Oahe Electric Coop where he worked until he retired on January 31, 1983. After retiring, Wayne worked for Mervin Beckman and Jim Duffek. They lived in Nebraska but owned land and farmed near Blunt.

Wayne married Patsy Mercer on October 5, 1950 and to this union two children were born, Randy Ray and Tamara Kay.

When not working, Wayne could be found fishing; duck, goose or pheasant hunting; or chasing a coyote across the open country. Wayne was also active in many activities in his lifetime including SD Wildlife Federation (former VP and was presented the SD Wildlife Conservation Award), life member of the American Legion, life member of the VFW, life member of the DAV, 70 year member of the Masonic Lodge, member of the 41st Infantry Division Association, Blunt School Reunion (chairman of first reunion), Blunt Centennial Committee (chairman), Pierre Coin and Stamp Club, National Pen and Pencil Collector’s Society (collected over 15,000 pens), Selective Service Board, Blunt Rod and Gun Club, Blunt Senior Citizens, Legion B bowling team (1978 State Champions), Blunt Fire Department, Oahe Shrine Club, Member Yeldez Shrine, Korkow Softball team in the 50’s and 60’s, Scottish Rite Freemasonry, and Mayor or Council of Blunt for nearly 25 years,. Wayne always felt that one of his biggest accomplishments was a trip to Huron, accompanied by Rick Howard, Jim McDaniel, and Tom Adam, for a meeting with former Governor, Archie Gubbard, CEO of the Farm Home Administration, returning home with funds to build an all new water and sewer system for the city of Blunt.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Kathryn Pool; sister Lucile Longland; brothers Sylvester and Gerald; and wife of 64 years, Patsy Pool.

He is survived by his sister Lois, Akron OH; son Randy (Colleen) Pool, Blunt SD; daughter Tamara (David) Cole, Presho SD; grandsons Jeffrey (Molly) Pool, Crystal MN and Dustin Cole, Marshall MN; granddaughters Shelbi Pool, St. Cloud MN and Mandy Cole, Presho SD; great granddaughter Harper Pool, Crystal MN; and a host of family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Blunt American Legion, Box 103, Blunt SD 57522 or the Harrold-Blunt Masonic Lodge, Box 43, Blunt SD 57522.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Wayne’s arrangements.