Maj Leland (Pete) Poland

Tupelo " Maj. Eustis Leland Pete Poland Jr., U. S. Army Retired, 90, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at his residence in Tupelo after a lengthy illness. He was born June 29, 1918 in Galveston, Texas, the son of Eustis Leland Poland, Sr. and Shelby Blackburn Potter Poland. He was a graduate of Fishburne Military Acadamy and attended William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia until he joined the Army in the throes of World War II. During the War, he participated in the Allied invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944 and came ashore to Utah Beach on the U.S.S. Susan B. Anthony which was sunk the day while approaching Omaha Beach. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Med (Ger), EAME Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. After the War he continued his military service in the Korean Conflict and retired from the Army January 23, 1962 with twenty years service. After his military service, he was purchasing agent for Purnells Pride Chicken for 12 years, and later Aircap for 11 years. A lifelong Episcopalian, he had been a member of All Saints Episcopal Church since 1956, had served on the Vestry and had also served as Senior Warden of the church. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club serving as club president, 1965-1966.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2009, at All Saints Episcopal Church with The Rev. Paul Stevens and The Rev. Gene Asbury officiating. Graveside services with full military honors will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Angela Grillo Poland; two sons, Pete Poland, III and wife, Belva, and Paul Poland and wife, Sandra, all of Tupelo; four grandchildren, Mandy Meek and husband, Scott, of Conway, Arkansas, Kelly Marlin and husband, John Michael, of Tupelo, Michael Poland and wife, Natalie, of Blue Springs and Jonathan Poland, and fiance, Lane Russell, both of Tupelo; five great grandchildren, Sarah Grace Meek, Madison Meek, Charlie Meek, John Luke Marlin and Jake Marlin.

Pallbearers will be George Bobo, Frank Anger, Jack Phipps, Andrew Battaile, Mike Ferris, Bob Lehman, Don Boyd and Charles Watson.

Visitation will be Noon until service time Monday at the Church.

Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com