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In Memoriam: John R. Poolman ’64

John R. Poolman

John Richard Poolman II finished the race and began eternity with Jesus on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, at the age of 81. He was born April 3rd, 1942, in Des Moines, Iowa to John Richard Poolman and Beth Louise Hubbard Poolman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 57 years, Beverly Kay Mounce Poolman ’66. John grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas where he often said about himself that he was “spoiled rotten by his mother and tortured his two younger sisters growing up!” John was outgoing, relatable, and always tried to make people feel welcomed. He really had a heart to be a blessing to others in whatever way he could be. Above everything else, John loved his family, his church, and was passionate about global missions. In the late 1950’s, with the coming integration of the public schools, John met to pray with other local high school students for the coming changes. Shortly after integration, the local public schools closed for the entirety of John’s Junior year. John remembered it as a time of intense school violence where tanks were often present on school grounds. Due to the school closures, John took correspondence courses in 11th grade. In 12th grade with the reopening of the schools, John met with several of the high school students who were soon to be integrated. He wanted those students to know they had some friendly faces while at school. John was the second graduating class from Little Rock Hall High in 1960. After high school graduation, John attended Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, AR his freshman year. The following year he transferred to Rhodes College, in TN, formerly known as Southwestern at Memphis for his sophomore year. At Southwestern he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and participated in intramural track and basketball. He ran cross country for Southwestern and by his senior year was one of the top 5 runners. Most importantly, it was here that he met his bride, Kay. In 1964, John graduated from Southwestern with a History Degree. The same year he and Kay were married while living in Memphis. They made several moves due to John’s job, but after a time relocated to Prairie Village, KS where John began his career in Financial Planning. His job later moved their family to Springfield, MO where he and Kay lived for 26 years. They eventually sold their Springfield house, left their friends and beloved Second Baptist church to move back to KS to be near their stateside children and grandchildren. John enjoyed living independently in his home, continuing to work as a Financial Planner, and driving his grandkids to their events up until his passing. He was always an active church member in whatever city he and Kay resided in. He has previously served as a church deacon, choir member, and at many different times a Sunday School Teacher to children or adults. Up until his death he was an active member in the Encouragers Sunday School Class at Lenexa Baptist Church, where he enjoyed many close and dear friendships. John is survived by his three children, John Richard (Ric) Poolman III and wife Ruth of Thailand, Timothy (Tim) Charles Poolman and wife Kerry of Overland Park, KS, and Kristy Kay Poolman Webb and husband Travis of Shawnee, KS; two sisters, Mary Louise Poolman of Clarkston, GA and Polly Higgins of St. Johns, FL; 18 grandchildren, John Richard IV, Ryan, Rayanne and Richelle Poolman of Thailand, Paige Poolman Willenbring and husband Cole of Overland Park, KS and Charles Poolman of Overland Park, KS, Nathanael Webb and wife Savanah of Colorado Springs, CO, Emma Webb Gutierrez and husband Christian of Waco, TX, Micah, Savannah, Ashlyn and Faith Webb of the Kansas City metro, and Gabe, Grace, Caden, Audrey, Isabella, and Elle Webb of Shawnee, KS; six great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law; and three nieces. John, you got there first, but we will see you again! “God is faithful, his promises are true, and we will meet again in the world made new.” There will be a Celebration of Life held on September 9, 2023 at 11:00am at Lenexa Baptist Church with visitation at 10.

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In Memoriam: Andrew Talbot Rainer

P.W. “Buddy” Whiteaker

P.W. “Buddy” Whiteaker, age 87, died peacefully on December 3, 2022, surrounded by family at his home in Maumelle, Arkansas. He was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on July 8, 1935, the son of Joseph William and Laura Pearl (Muse) Whiteaker. Buddy graduated from Pine Bluff High School (1954), before earning his B.A. from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) (1958), where he proudly pledged Sigma Nu Fraternity. He furthered his education by earning his M.B.A. from the University of Mississippi.

Buddy will be remembered for his passion for politics and public policy, his respect for all people, his love of music, the arts, the outdoors, games, gardening, and learning, his work ethic, his leadership, and his ability to dream impossible dreams. He proudly served the people of the State of Arkansas as the Administrative Assistant and Staff Director for Senator John L. McClellan before returning to the state to develop land and build homes. He will be deeply missed.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ada (Latta) Whiteaker; their children, Greg (Maria) Whiteaker, Deni Whiteaker Clark, and Scott (Mary) Whiteaker; their grandchildren, Abby (Miles) French, Preston (Shelby) Clark, and Byrne, Elise, Alyssa and Drew Whiteaker; and his nephews, who are more like brothers, Jim and Rick Skillen. A great-grandson, Everett Alan Clark, will make his arrival in the coming weeks, and great-granddaughter, Mary Claire French, will arrive this spring. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, brothers, brothers-in-law, and son-in-law, Mike Clark.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son in Pine Bluff, with a visitation to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our House shelter organization, P.O. Box 34155, Little Rock, AR 72205.

For online condolences, please visit www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com.

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In Memoriam: Andrew Talbot Rainer

Andrew Talbot Rainer, Jr.

Andrew Talbot Rainer, Jr. “Drew” died on October 3, 2021, at his home in Memphis, TN. Drew was the oldest of 4 siblings, born on July 4, 1999. He was a senior at Rhodes College, where he was a Clarence Day Scholar majoring in English with a minor in Music. He was part of the Rhodes Jazz Ensemble and the chaplain of Sigma Nu fraternity, where he was a brother. Prior to Rhodes, Drew graduated with honors from Christian Brothers High School, where he played trombone in the oldest high school band in America, and was a varsity wrestler, Drew was a voracious reader, and was awarded the Chad Eatherly Scholarship, “given to the Brother’s Boy who exemplifies our best graces: compassion, humor, wisdom, service, spirit and spiritedness…”

From childhood, Drew was an accomplished musician, singer and lover of music, who as a very small boy volunteered to sing at Christmas mass at St. Peter Church, where he continued to serve as a cantor, soloist and duetist. He sang with the Memphis Boy Choir and played trombone in the CBHS Jazz band and with the pep band at football games. Drew also studied bass guitar, and greatly loved playing in his 80’s rock group, Belvedere, with his bandmates.

Drew earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 55, and in 2017 completed a 12 day, 85 mile trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico with fellow Troop 55 scouts and troop leaders.

Drew learned his love for his Catholic faith at St. Peter Catholic Church, where in addition to singing, he served at the altar, and was a devoted member of the high school youth group, known as “The Thing.”

Drew was a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. He was a kind, cheerful, intelligent and outgoing young man, who was loved by his friends.

He is survived by his mother and father, Keith and Andy Rainer, his sisters Nell and Mary, and his brother Robert. He also leaves behind his Aunt, Lesley Dillon (John), his uncles: Jim Rainer (Missy), Stephen Rainer (Debra) and Andrew Doggett (Nora), 11 first cousins, as well a very large extended family network too numerous to mention.

Mass in celebration of Drew’s life will be at St. Peter Catholic Church on Friday, October 8 at 2:30PM. There will be a visitation in the St. Peter parish hall at 1:00PM, and a rosary prayed in the church at 2:00. The service can be streamed live at: https://boxcast.tv/view/drew-rainer-funeral-478870

A memorial fund has been established in Drew’s honor at Pinnacle Bank. Donations can be directed in person or by mail to the Drew Rainer Memorial Fund ? Pinnacle Bank 949 Shady Grove Road South, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38120, or via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/drew-rainer-memorial-fund.

Drew’s family asks that donations be made to this fund in lieu of flowers.

JOHN 15:13:

“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”

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Join us for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2021!

Join us at the Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 10:00am-3:00pm for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2021! Reconnect with friends at the Sigma Nu House and enjoy the Homecoming parade along with a BBQ cookout and tailgate! To help ensure we have an accurate headcount, please RSVP!

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our understanding of the Rhodes COVID-19 Protocol is that alumni will be allowed on campus but will not be allowed to enter buildings unless they have been screened for COVID-19 by Rhodes and received approval to enter buildings.

The event is FREE and open to all Sigma Nu brothers, family, friends, and guests!