More detail on this person: Funeral services with full military honors for Charles E. Poe, Jr. 73, of DeRidder, LA, will be held at 10:00 A M, Tuesday, December 20, 2016, in Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in DeRidder with Rev. George Lee Glass officiating. Burial will follow in Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder. Charles passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 15, 2016, in M. D. Anderson Leukemia Center in Houston Texas, with his family by his side. Visitation will be held Monday, December 19, 2016, from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and then 9 am until service time Tuesday. Charles was born September 23, 1943, in DeRidder, LA to Charles Edgar, Sr. and Veronica Lucille Jones Poe. Charles was a son, brother, husband, father, soldier, elected public servant and small business owner. He led a full life, to be sure. From the rice fields of southwest Louisiana to the rice paddies of Viet Nam, Charles had a long distinguished and highly decorated military carrier. Charles was a graduate of DeRidder High School and continued his education at McNeese State University. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, was elected Student Body President and rose to Cadet Colonel and Commandant of McNeese State University ROTC program. After graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army, selected for flight training and earned his rotor winged aircraft pilot status. While deployed to Viet Nam, Charles flew scout, gunship and the most dangerous of all, "slicks" missions. Having three helicopters shot out from under him, the last leaving him critically wounded, Charles began a lengthy convalescent leave which included surgeries and physical Re-Hab. Upon returning to active duty, Charles served with honor and distinction, holding several command assignments until his retirement as a Lt. Col. Among his many decorations and awards was the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" Device. Returning to Southwest Louisiana with a sense of purpose and civic service, Charles was elected to serve as a member of the Beauregard Parish Police Jury. Charles served his constituents with honesty, integrity and the same dedication that inspired his military service. He was also a past president of the DeRidder Kiwanis Club and a life member of the V.F.W. With his wife, Mackie, Charles purchased a building in the heart of the designated Historic Downtown DeRidder Area. After a thorough renovation a small business was opened and operated until his retirement from public and private enterprises. From DeRidder to DaNang and back again, Charles left an impeccable footprint of integrity and service that few men can claim. His legacy of honesty, dedication and un-wavering friendship is a goal that may be equaled by some, but surpassed by none. Charles is survived by his wife of twenty-three years, Mackie Poe of DeRidder; two sons, Karl M. Poe and wife Valerie of Georgetown, TX, and Kristian V. Poe and wife Angelic of Ft. Worth, TX; daughter, Kara Cloud and husband Stacy of Harker Heights, TX; two sisters, Lynette Jordan and husband Jack of Ninety Six, SC, and Sandra Dunn of DeRidder; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Charles was preceded in death by his parents. Charles' family requests that donations be made to the American Leukemia Association, M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX or the charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be expressed to Charles' family at www.labbymemorial.com.Charles E. Poe, Jr.
Burial information: Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder
This information was last updated 08/05/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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