Leroy James Pool: Oct. 13, 1950-Oct. 17, 2017

Leroy James Pool: Oct. 13, 1950-Oct. 17, 2017

Leroy James Pool, 67, of Langley, Wash. passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2017.

Leroy was born Oct. 13, 1950 in Trieste, Italy to Kenneth and Adriana Pool. In 1952, Leroy’s parents brought him to America, and due to his father’s military career, lived in many locations during his youth such as Bakersfield, Calif.; Lewistown and Billings, Mont.; and Seattle, Wash.; until 1985 when his family moved to Whidbey Island.

Leroy graduated from Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Wash. in 1968, and in 1976 began a 38-year career at Boeing in Everett, Wash. where he worked as a motive equipment operator – workload manager, as well as a dispatcher until his retirement on Feb. 28, 2014.

Leroy was very active in his community serving on the Island County Fair Board, the Bayview Beach Water District and United Way. His involvement with the fair included the Fiddle Faddle Farm, and the Barnyard Scramble. He is also known for his heroism when he saved the life of a ferry worker by preventing her from falling into the churning waters of the running engines.

Leroy is remembered for his great sense of humor and the ability to make people laugh. He became an Uber driver later in his life, and loved to meet and chat with people from all over the world.

Leroy’s passion was boating and fishing and he spent many summers travelling throughout the San Juan and the Canadian Gulf Islands. He also loved to sing and cook and he prepared many Italian dinners for his family and friends while crooning Dean Martin Italian melodies. We have no doubt that he now has a choir on angels as his back-up.

Leroy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Patricia Lauren Pool of Langley, Wash.; his sister Leola A. Hansen and her husband Thomas O. Hansen of Duvall, Wash.

A celebration of life will be held for Leroy at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, Wash. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation (“WAIF”) in honor of Leroy’s love for animals.

Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. Please visit Leroy’s page in the Book of Memories online at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences.