James J. “Jim” Poull, Sr., age 87, of Port Washington, WI peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at his home with his family at his side.
He was born on June 17, 1932 in Port Washington, WI; son of Clarence “Jigger” and Elizabeth (Groff) Poull.
Jim attended St. Mary’s School and Port Washington High School. He served in the United States Army as a Corporal during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.
Upon his return, he married Dorothy Diedrich at St. Mary’s Church in Random Lake on August 20, 1955.
Jim worked with his father at Poull Bros. Hardware on Franklin Street in Port Washington. When his father retired in 1973, Jim and Dorothy took over the business Poull’s Plumbing, Heating and Hardware store. He was proud to work with his wife and sons until his retirement in 1998.
Living his life in Port Washington, Jim was a member of the former St. Mary’s parish (St. John 23rd) in Port Washington, the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82 and Ozaukee Memorial Post 5373 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had served as VFW Post Commander from 2005 through 2009 and a member of their funeral honor guard for many years.
Jim had served as a special deputy for the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriffs Viol Eidenberger and Arthur Helm for over 14 years.
He with his wife and other local families founded the Ozaukee County Chapter of Retarded Children (OCCRC), Ulao School and Portal Industries of Grafton to provide opportunities for children like his daughter Beth.
Jim always enjoyed camping with the kids, vacations and deer hunting in Crivitz, family drives to Rock Hill, SC and Pigeon Forge, TN, and the scenic beauty of the Smoky Mountains.
As an only child, Jim was truly blessed. On his wedding day, while walking out of church, his mother was heard saying that she had always prayed her Jimmy would have a big family. She didn’t realize she had prayed so hard. “He was loved and blessed.”
Jim is survived by his wife Dorothy of almost 65 years; his six children John, Elizabeth “Beth”, James Jr., Suzette and Jeffrey Poull and Michele (Mike) Biddle, all of Port Washington; nine grandchildren Raymond, Andrea, Jason, Darcy, Josh, Amanda, Adam, Andrew and Brian; ten great-grandchildren Adina, Arianna, Dakota, Layla, Cyrus, James ,Hayden, Emory, Mackenzie and Madelyn; special friends Ed and Betty Johnson’s children; Alan, Tina, Mark and the late Ricki and their families; brother-in-law Dick (Nancy) Diedrich and sisters-in-law Dorothy Diedrich, both of Plymouth WI, Mary (George) Graff of Rock Hill, SC, Sharon (Roger) Karrels of Port Washington and Maggie Diedrich of Tempe, AZ; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence “Jigger” and Elizabeth (Groff) Poull, Dorothy’s parents Raymond and Virginia (Konrad) Diedrich, daughter-in-law Maria Poull and brother-in-laws Lance Corporal Robert, Raymond Jr., Michael, James and Donald Diedrich, as well as, special friends Jr. & Betty Johnson.
An interment Service with Military Honors will be held Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 11 am at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington, Wisconsin.
Memorials to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight (www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org) or the Fisher House, Milwaukee VA (www.fisherhousewi.org) appreciated.
Rest in peace Jimmy, you will be missed. Thank you for all of your work with Portal Industries.
To the family of my friend Jim, My condolences go out to you he was not only a great person, he was a devoted Veteran we went to many District meetings together and he will be missed not only by his family but also by all the Veterans in Ozaukee County
Jim was a great guy, honest and straightforward. The world has lost one of the better ones. My condolences to the family.
My family and I had the pleasure of living next door to Jim and Dorothy for over 20 years. Better neighbors could not be had. To Dorothy and family we offer our deepest sympathy.
My condolences to the family, and an extra hug to Beth in this difficult time. He was such a nice man! He will be truly missed by friends and family.
Jimmy and family had always been family to us and our customers at Swettheart Cakes. We loved seeing him every day for coffee and a donut!! God Bless you Jimmy, you enriched our lives. Thoughts and prayers to the love of his life Dorothy, his children and grandchildren. We’ll miss you at the Vet’s Fishing Outing Jimmy, but we’ll keep a seat of honor open just for you.
My Deepest condolences to All the Poull Families & Many Many Friends. PaPa Poull was quite the fixture in Port Washington, wi and will be so very missed! Rest Peacefully James Poull Sr.
We are grieving with you.
Lifting the family up in prayer.
Love always,
Remember that hitch in Jim’s elbow when he walked? For the longest time I imitated that for no other reason than to be like him. He welcomed me to Port and later gave me a job in his store. He taught me hard work and to keep my word. And to give a fellow traveler a break every once and a while. Condolences to a great Family.
-jerry in Atlanta
Sue and family,
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you all. God be with you.
My deepest sympathies with everyone. And much love and prayers to the entire family!!!! Love you all❤️❤️❤️
So very sorry for your loss,he was a very nice man!,,,,
Sue, prayers and hugs to you and your whole family. My deepest condolences. Love you! Joni