Jack Thomas Poet

Jack Thomas Poet, 80

Passed before dawn on May 8th 2012 with his wife Patti and their daughter Heather by his side in Santa Barbara, California. He was born in Los Angeles on December 2nd 1931, the middle son of Curtis and Fern Poet.

Jack served in the United States Air Force Special Services as a boxer entertaining the troops during the Korean War. He returned and attended UCSB and Occidental where he studied Political Science. He attended UCSB when the campus was on the Rivera and worked in the ER and ambulance at Cottage Hospital.

Jack went on to own and run five car dealerships, in the Los Angeles area. While a Volkswagen dealer in Highland Park, Jack wrote “Jack Poet Loves You” across the Los Angeles skies. That day was July 20, 1969, the day Apollo 11 landed on the moon. In the late 1970’s, Jack began a fresh daily, organic juice company Pure Juice. After proposition 215, Jack embarked on what would be his final fight for the good and the right and founded Santa Barbara Patients Group. Jack was an original and had many ideas that were ahead of his time. In his own unique way, Jack spent all of his life trying to make the world a better place.

Jack adored his family and was fiercely devoted to them. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Poet and three children: Jack Poet Jr. of Los Angeles, Laura Poet Currie of Dana Point and Heather Poet-Johnson (Jerry Johnson) of Santa Barbara; three grandchildren, Christopher Currie, Chelsea McIntyre and Violet Johnson; two great grandchildren Ever and Royal. His two brothers, Curtis Poet of St. George, Utah and Jim Poet of Sierra Madre, California also survive him.

Jack was extremely loving and a person of great integrity. He was never afraid of anything and had an innate sense of compassion and kindness. He was full of passion, bravery and humility and was able to tackle anything he set his mind to. He was generally right but still willing to “change in the light of more information”, an exceptional trait indeed. His smile and laughter were larger than life and his sense of humor was incomparable. His non-judgmental treatment of his fellow man was rare and fine. He will be missed beyond words.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cottage Hospital for their care and kindness. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to one of his favorite charities, The Make a Wish Foundation, Cottage Children’s Hospital, or DAWG. A Memorial celebrating his life will be held on June 24th. Please contact the Poet family at jackpoetmemorial@gmail.com for place and time.