James Christopher Thomas Pool

James Christopher Thomas Pool passed away on April 15, 2024 in Prescott, AZ, at the age of 87.The son of James Lester Pool and Gwendolyn (Manners) Pool, Jim was born February 27, 1937 on the Thomas/Pool farm in the Rock Creek area of Edgerton, Kansas, in the house where his father and paternal grandmother were born.

Having grown up in a rural farming community, he learned the principles by which he lived -integrity, camaraderie and persistence. He appreciated the many opportunities he had during his long career and the lasting friendships he enjoyed over the years. He is remembered for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to help others as well as the positive impact he had on many people’s lives.

Jim graduated from the Wellsville (Kansas) High School in 1955, attended University of Kansas as a Summerfield Scholar, receiving a B.A. with Honors in Mathematics in 1959, and earned a Ph.D. in Physics from University of Iowa in 1963. His early research interests were the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. Over his career, Jim's research interests emphasized high-performance computing, computational science and engineering, mathematical software, and problem-solving environments.

Jim held positions related to high-performance computing at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Research in Germantown, MD, and the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Naval Research in Arlington, VA. At the software vendor, Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG), Jim led NAG's North American activities. His academic positions included post-doctoral appointments at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, University of Hamburg, Germany, and University of Geneva, Switzerland; assistant professor of mathematics at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA; and department head as well as professor of mathematics and computer science at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. Jim concluded his professional career at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, where he served as associate director, deputy director, and executive director of Caltech Center for Advanced Computing Research.

After his retirement in 2003, Jim and Doris, his wife of 38 years, moved to Prescott, AZ, where he volunteered at numerous organizations. His hobbies included motorsports, genealogy, photography, and studying history.

Jim is survived by Doris (Marks/Pahis), his children, Danielle Pool of Arlington, VA and Arlan Pool (Andrea) of Wayland, MA, and his grandson, Samuel Pool of Wayland, MA.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Wellsville, KS on September 1, 2024, following his interment alongside family in Rock Creek Cemetery, Edgerton, KS.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Jim’s name to the Wellsville Historical Society, P.O. Box 104, Wellsville, KS 66092 or the Rock Creek Community Center, c/o Linda Broers, Treasurer, 36974 W. 231 Street, Edgerton, KS 66021.

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