James Roger Poole

J. Roger Poole peacefully passed away in his home the morning of January 29, 2025. Roger grew up in Poole’s Bend, a pocket of beautiful land between Pacolet and Cowpens where his family has resided for centuries. Roger was academically successful at Cowpens High School before going to Wofford College for undergraduate studies, where he was a proud member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. After Wofford, Roger attended Mercer Law School. Each of these were made possible through generous scholarships based off of his academic ability. Roger served in the Criminal Justice System for over 40 years fighting for his belief in fairness for the accused. He was proud member of the Public Defender’s Office and continued to serve after semi-retirement finding legal pathways of rehabilitation for those suffering from circumstances outside of their control.

Besides being an attorney, Roger was an avid reader, learner, and thinker. Always hoping to learn a little bit more, he would find himself diving deep into subjects ranging from literature, physics, philosophy, and theology. Roger understood that learning and education are a privilege which should be held close to one’s heart throughout life. Because of this passion for learning, he acquired “more degrees than a thermometer” with a BS in Physics and BA in English from Wofford College, a Juris Doctorate from Mercer Law, a Certificate of Theology from Sewanee School of Theology, and a Second-Degree Black Belt from Grand Master Sung Duk Cho’s Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do Academy.

Roger was an accomplished guitarist who always loved to play for crowded rooms. Roger loved good books, good music, good friends, good dogs, and good times. He also believed in good people. Having grown up around good people, married into good people, and raised good people, it only makes sense that his heart believed that everyone had innate goodness within them. Roger believed in the State of South Carolina’s motto: “Dum spiro spero. While I breathe, I hope.” 

Roger is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Jane McBee Smith Poole, his two sons James Roger II and John Sterling (Hannah), and one grandson James Dempsey. He has one surviving brother, David, and many more cousins, nieces, nephews, and beyond. He has gone to join his parents (Sterling Arthur Sr. and Ina) and his brothers (Sterling Arthur Jr., Charles, and John Ralph) along with many others family members and dear friends for a suppertime in heaven.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 1:00 PM at Trinity UMC, 626 Norwood St, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Roger can be made to SPACE (Spartanburg Area Conservancy): 100 E. Main St., Suite 7B , Spartanburg, SC 29306 or at https://www.spartanburgconservation.org/