Mark Leroy Pooser

IRMO - Funeral services for Mark Leroy Pooser, 86, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2018, at Union United Methodist Church, 7582 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC 29063, with interment at Bush River Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Steven Taylor will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 19, at Temples Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212. Mr. Pooser was born in Dorchester, SC, October 14, 1931, and passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2018.He was the son of the late Paul Leroy Pooser and Annie Rebecca Patrick Pooser. Mr. Pooser was a member of Union United Methodist Church for over 50 years where he served in numerous roles including Superintendent of Children’s Sunday School. He graduated from St. George High School in 1950 as the Salutatorian of his graduating class where he excelled in mathematics and won a statewide math competition.He played football, basketball, and baseball for St. George High School.While in high school, Mr. Pooser served his community as a volunteer firefighter for the SC Forestry Commission in his home town of Dorchester.After graduation from high school, he moved to Columbia to attend Columbia Commercial College where he received a degree in accounting.Mr. Pooser later went to work at the Federal Land Bank in Columbia where he met his beloved wife, Janice Reese Pooser. They were happily married in 1954.Over the next several years, they became the loving parents of three daughters. During the 1950’s and early 1960’s, Mr. Pooser served his country in the United States Army Reserves. Throughout his life, the most important things to Mr. Pooser were his family and his church.He was devoted to the Methodist Church his entire life as both of his grandfathers were Methodist preachers in South Carolina. Mr. Pooser and his wife joined Bethel Methodist Church shortly after they were married and were active members until they moved to Irmo in 1965.In 1958, the official board of Bethel Methodist Church presented Mr. Pooser with an award in appreciation for his outstanding services rendered to the church. Mr. Pooser loved the outdoors and working in his vegetable garden. For many years, he and his wife were devoted supporters of their children's various interests and activities. Mr. Pooser particularly enjoyed his work with the Irmo High School Band Booster Club in the 1970’s where he served as the Treasurer for five years and oversaw band fruit sales. In addition, Mr. Pooser was a parent volunteer with the Irmo High School Choral Booster Club where he handled all ticket sales for concerts and musicals. In 1980, the choral director for Irmo High presented Mr. Pooser with the Friend of Music award.Mr. Pooser also served his community in the 1970’s representing Mepco Electra, Inc. as a Junior Achievement volunteer leader at Irmo High School. Additionally, he and his wife chaperoned various band and choral events, performances, and trips. Mr. Pooser was an avid and loyal Gamecock fan who loved going to USC football and basketball games for over forty years.Throughout his career in the work force, Mr. Pooser worked as an accountant for Swift and Company, General Electric, and Mepco Electra, Inc. before retiring in 1995 from the North American Philips Components Plant in Irmo where he was Controller. In 1980, he received the Growth Through People with Pride and Profits Excellence Award from Mepco Electra, Inc. Mr. Pooser is survived by his three daughters; Gayle P. Kotti (Doug), Sandra P. Vann (Joey), and Jane P. Melven (Chad); nine grandchildren; Laura Kotti, Burt Kotti, Rachel Kotti Meeusen (Andy), Meredith Melven, William Melven, Reese Melven, Lauren Vann Brown (Chris), Robbie Vann, and Elizabeth Vann; and five great-grandchildren, Brody Meeusen, Jase Meeusen, Piper Meeusen, Ashlynn Brown and Liam Brown. Mr. Pooser was predeceased by his beloved wife, Janice Reese Pooser, and parents. Mr. Pooser was loved by his family and friends, and he will be deeply missed.