Gerald Melbourne Poor of Rolla, Missouri passed away at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center on Monday, October 10, 2011. Gerald Poor was 84 years, 6 months and 8 days of age.

Gerald Poor was born on April 2, 1927 to his parents: Otto and Gracie Lee (Skaggs) Poor. He was united in marriage to Mildred Marie Ragan on May 29, 1950 in Arkansas.

Gerald Poor entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and was on the USS Indianapolis, which sunk July 30, 1945 by Japanese submarines. About 900 of the 1,196 crewmen survived the initial impact. By the time they were rescued 4 days later a little more than 300 survived. Gerald Poor was one of the survivors and at the time of his passing, was the only Missouri survivor of the greatest sea disaster in its history. Mr. Poor often visited the local schools and told of his experience in the water, fighting, exposure, dehydration and shark attacks. On October 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Snodgrass Cemetery near Vienna, Mo., the U.S. Navy will honor his heroic efforts. Gerald was a loving father, and grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gerald Poor is survived by one son: Homer Poor and wife Wilma of Hannibal, Mo.; and one daughter: Thelma Bailey and husband Jerry of Rolla, Mo.; two sisters: Billy Ann Valastnik and husband William of Peru, Illinois; and Margaret Obertz of St. Peters, Mo.; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Gerald Poor in death is his wife: Mildred Marie (Ragan) Poor on November 14, 2005; and his parents: Otto and Gracie (Skaggs) Poor, four brothers: Rowe Earl Poor; Buell Lee Poor; Thomas Barton Poor; and Johnny Clinton Poor; one sister: Aleene Chancy; and one brother-in-law: John Obertz.

Services
Memorial Service for Gerald Poor will be conducted on Saturday, October 15, at 7:00 P.M. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

Graveside services with full Military Honors will be conducted on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 2 PM at the Snodgrass Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.