Jack Edward Pool

Published 12:01 am Thursday, March 12, 2015

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Jan. 16, 1938 – March 6, 2015

DALLAS — Jack E. Pool, 77, died peacefully Friday, March 6, 2015, at his residence in Dallas, in the presence of his family after a brief illness.

He was a long-time resident of Natchez.

Jack’s life will be honored with a small gathering for family and friends in Dallas. In addition, family and friends are invited to a graveside remembrance, May 2, 2015, at 3 p.m., at the Natchez City Cemetery.

Mr. Pool was born in Jennings, La., to the former Jessie Doris Johnson of Lufkin, Texas, and George Edward Pool of Conroe, Texas.

A graduate of Natchez High School, Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi Law School, he conducted a much-respected law practice in Natchez. A lover of history and preservation, he restored two historic buildings as law offices and refurbished the Elks Club as a bed and breakfast. He served on the Natchez Historic Preservation Commission.

Upon the death of his father, he took over management of ADCO drilling company and ran an early computerized data archive for local businesses. He later applied that experience as director of the Central Legal Staff (1994-2005) and as court administrator and counsel to the Mississippi Supreme Court (2005-2011) in Jackson. He served under six chief justices during his 16 years of service. He helped implement the Mississippi Electronic Courts pilot program and computerized the archives of state court records, which averted data loss in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and gained national recognition. As the Court Administrator and Counsel, he was the point person for the court in the construction of the new Carroll Gartin Justice Building in Jackson. His work for the court earned him the Chief Justice Award in 2003 and 2005.

After retiring in 2011, and moving to Dallas, Jack volunteered in the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program of Collin County, serving as guardian ad litem forminors whose parents or guardians are unable to represent their interests before the court.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his loving wife, Margaret (née Breithaupt); one brother, Gary of New Orleans; three adoring children, Christopher and wife, Kathleen (née Sanguinetti) of Lexington, Ky., Leslie Pool DeShazer and husband, Dennis, of Dallas and Bridget Pool Broadley and husband, Shaun, of New Orleans; three grandchildren, Caroline Pool Hayes and husband, Hunter, of New Orleans, Mary Margaret Pool of Lexington and Graham and Julia DeShazer of Dallas; a dear cousin, Doris Ann Benoist; and a number of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to CASA of Collin County, 101 E. Davis St., McKinney, TX 75069 and Cathedral School, 701 N. Martin Luther King St., Natchez, MS 39120.