Harold Poiry

(From Parker Mortuary)

Harold Dean Poiry, age 94, of Joplin, Mo, passed away on Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at his home.

He was born in Seneca, MO in 1929, to parents Joseph and Anna (Belt) Poiry, who preceded him in death.

He lived a life of hope and faith. In the end his body gave out, but his spirit never did.

Harold was united in marriage to Alice Marie Allman on November 7th, 1953. They enjoyed a happy and loving union that lasted nearly 60 years. Alice preceded Harold in death, passing away in 2012.

Harold is survived by his children, Anita Stokes, Charlene Newman, Michael Poiry (wife Nancy), James Poiry and Sara Wininger (husband Ray) all of Joplin; four grandchildren, Jennifer Parks and Steve Stokes, Jr., of Joplin, Madison Saunders and Alexander Poiry, of Kansas City, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a cousin, David Belt of Chandler, AZ.

Harold was drafted into the Korean Conflict in 1951 and served in a construction battalion in Pusan, Korea. After returning to the U.S., he married Alice Allman, of Seneca, and moved to Joplin. After briefly serving with the Joplin Fire Department, Harold began his 31 year career with the Gas Service Company, which later became Spire, retiring in 1992.

Harold and Alice realized their dream by travelling to Europe and Hawaii, before settling into nearly 20 years of volunteering with local organizations. Harold assisted the Southwest Missouri Friendship Council for the Blind. He and Alice also helped out at Crosslines Ministries for many years.

As a lifelong faithful Catholic man, Harold belonged to the parish of St. Mary in Joplin for over 70 years. He spent most of his spare time in the fellowship of friends from both St. Mary and St. Peter parishes. Toward the end of his life, he looked forward to attending daily mass and being with his friends in the parish hall.

Visitation will be held at Parker Mortuary on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Joe Weidenbenner officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Seneca, where he will be laid to rest next to Alice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Funeral arrangements provided by Parker Mortuary.