Jerry Poel

Obituary for Jerry Poel

Born November 29, 1933

Died February 18, 2021

 Jerry was born in Lafayette, Indiana, the second of twins.  His brother Larry preceded him in birth and death. 

Jerry’s given name was Gerald Dean Poel and his twin brother’s given name was Lawrence H. Poel.  Their mother was Virginia Johnson and their father was Lawrence Ray Poel.  Jerry also had three other brothers, Stephen R. Johnson whose father was Robert O. Johnson and Lanny and Tom Poel whose mother was Margaret Poel.

Jerry attended Morton Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High School and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue on June 2nd, 1957.  He also received a Mater of Science Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Clear Lake, Texas on May 5th, 1984.

Jerry and Corinne were married on July 31st, 1955 while they were both attending Purdue University.  Their first child, Cynthia, was born on December 6th, 1956.  Their second child, Jeffrey was born on December 5th, 1959 and their third child, Jennifer, was born on June 24th, 1961 in Sacramento, California.  Their fourth child, Christina, was born in Clear Lake City on October 27th, 1976.

They left for Sacramento, California in June 1957 when Jerry was hired by the Aerojet General Corporation to work on liquid rocket engines first used in our ballistic missiles.  He worked at Aerojet from 1957 until 1965 when he left for Seattle, Washington to work for the Boeing Company.  In 1967 he was transferred to Houston, Texas to work on the Apollo program.  He had gained expertise in both liquid and solid rocket engines that were essential to the Lunar Landing program.

He retired from the Lockheed Engineering and Management Systems Corporation in September 1994 as a result of declining NASA Support Contracts for the space program to help Corinne with her home day care business.  He became an expert in tender and loving care for the babies --- changing diapers, rocking them to sleep and chasing them around the house and backyard.  He always said that it was the best job he ever had.

Jerry designed and maintained many websites and devoted any hours repairing computers for seniors.  He volunteered at HAL-PC Senior Learning Center and Meals on Wheels.  He would never allow anyone to pay for his service, saying only “My basket is full and I am trying to empty it in the time I have left.”  He had a very unique sense of humor and delighted in getting a laugh or two!

Corinne often said “He was the most honest, loyal and generous person she had ever known”.  Jerry always said he was extraordinarily blessed because he married the most beautiful woman on the earth!

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