Nicholas Pool

Nicholas Edward Pool lost his battle with cancer on September 23, 2021, at the age of 83. Nick was born on December 24, 1937, in Reno, Nevada to Bill and Nell Pool. Nick and his family moved to Pocatello when he was six years old and spent his entire childhood in the area. Nick graduated from Pocatello High school in 1955 and attended one semester at Idaho State College before joining the Navy.

After two years in the Navy aboard the USS Brush and the USS Preston, Nick attended the University of Idaho graduating with a degree in Business Administration. He and the love of his life Gayle Willecke, were married during his senior year.

Pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a fighter pilot, Nick joined the United States Air Force. His first operational assignment was flying F-105's out of Korat, Thailand bombing targets in North Vietnam and Laos for a total of 125 combat missions. Later as an exchange pilot with the Navy, Nick flew F-4's off the USS Ranger logging 99 more combat missions. He also served as an instructor pilot in the F-4 and F-5 and because of his experience, was assigned as the F-5 advisor to the Iranian Air Force from 1976-1978. Nick retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980. During his Air Force career, the family lived in New York, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, Iran and Georgia.

Returning to Idaho, the family settled in Mackay where Nick and Gayle built a log home on five acres. Nick was never afraid of hard work and during his time in Mackay he worked as a miner in the Phi Kappa mine, a carpenter, sold real estate and worked on a ranch. After fourteen years in Mackay Nick was offered the pastorate of the Assembly of God church in Challis where he and Gayle lived for the next ten years. Nick retired from his pastorship and moved to Blackfoot for seven years before coming back to their childhood city of Pocatello.

Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Nell Pool and his daughter, Kirsten (Mike) Isham. Nick is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gayle, his sister, Billinell Pool and brother, Albert Pool, his daughter, Nicki (Charlie) Maggart and son, Curt (Danette) Pool, along with 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held September 27, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Colonial Chapel, 2005 S 4th Ave, Pocatello, ID with burial to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Pool family requests you use that money to spend time with your family and take them to dinner.

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