Don Poe

POE, Don Richard, age 64, of Beavercreek, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 9, 2015. He was born October 6, 1950 in Dallas, TX to the late Woodrow J. and Maryann Poe.

He graduated from Paschal High School, TX in 1969 and received his Bachelor's in Mathematics from Baylor University, TX in 1974. He received a U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp Scholarship and was a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1974. The USAF delayed his entry onto active duty for one year, so Don and his first wife, Gail Poe moved to Spain where he became an assistant chemical laboratory instructor at the American School of Madrid. He attended USAF pilot training at Columbus AFB in Mississippi and graduated at the top of his class. He became an F-4 fighter pilot stationed at Torrejon AB, Spain, George AFB, California, and Zaragoza AB, Spain. He was also a graduate of the prestigious USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course.

Don was then competitively selected into the initial cadre of the USAF's premier multi-role fighter, the F-15E Strike Eagle at Luke AFB, Arizona. He transferred to the Republic of South Korea for one year as a mission planner. He returned to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio to work simulator acquisition. Don was responsible for integrating fighter aircraft training requirements into the newest fighter simulators.

Don retired from the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1999 and continued his role in simulators as a contractor until 2013. He married Kimberly Lidie in 1997. He enjoyed skiing, traveling, and taking cruises. He also enjoyed punkin' chunkin', throwing pumpkins using a trebuchet with team American Chucker to raise money for charities. He is survived by his wife Kimberly Poe; children, Brian Poe, Sara (Zach Thomas) Poe, and Amanda (Ryan) White; sisters, Paula Wright and Marilyn Jones; grandsons, Ziggy Dean Thomas, Jamie and Mason White; and an abundance of other loving family and friends.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 - 6:00 pm on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3380 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, with a memorial service following at 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, American Heart Association, and www.caringbridge.org.