Poe knows how to volunteer

The founding of the town of Wimberley is embodied in the Winters-Wimberley House in front of the Community Center. Back in those early days the walls were 18” thick in order to stop the arrows of the Native Americans.

The early founding families relied on each other to survive, during times of floods, attacks, droughts and the other emergencies. One thing remains true about Wimberley, there is a willingness of the locals to rely on each other and help each other. The many volunteers help the community by using their individual talents, in places where they can give it, with the many nonprofits to choose from.

John Poe is one of those volunteers after retiring from his oil company job. He grew up in Nacogdoches, which is billed as “the oldest city in Texas,” with Stephen F. Austin as it’s Alcalde, or mayor. A graduate of Nacogdoches High, he grew up surrounded by Texas history.

Education came first. “Mom taught at the University (Steven F. Austin State University) in the School of Business… I joined the Air Force for four years, and went to school on the G.I. bill. “ He graduated with honors with a B.A. in Accounting and into a Tenneco job.

“At Tenneco I got out of Accounting after 18 years, and left for Mobil (which became Exxon-Mobil). I had 21 years at Exxon, as a Natural Gas Broker.” The regulations at that time, the 70s through the 80s, were many, complicated and competitive, to say the least.

Poe and his wife Karen, a volunteer herself, bought their Wimberley home in 2013. “It was about a year before the Memorial Day flood (in 2015),” Poe said. They were familiar with Wimberley as her aunt and uncle lived in Woodcreek and many holidays and weekends were spent there.

Then, in retirement, the urge to volunteer happened. The Chamber of Commerce always needs someone to man the front of the Visitors Center and greet visitors. A smiling face and advice on what to visit in town was a prerequisite for the desk and the perfect volunteer opportunity for Poe.

“We met people from the Methodist Church and volunteered there with the Barnabas Connection… Then I got involved with WIC (Wimberley Institute of Culture) because I love history. We became members, then I got in Habitat for Humanity and got on the Board.”

Although he volunteers for a lot of worthwhile organizations in Wimberley, there are two things that will make him light up. One is golf. A lot of days you’ll catch him on the links. But really his dreams of playing once again in Scotland are still active.

“In 1990, I flew to Scotland, (the birthplace of golf) where they played the British Open. We flew into Glasgow, once in a lifetime, eight of us. We played the west coast, at St. Andrews, spent a couple of days and played the old and new course… You learn a lot from the caddies.” The trip was so successful; they did it every year, for about 25 years. “We might’ve missed a year or two. Maybe I’ll do it again.”

The other thing to make him smile? “The most satisfying is WIC. I love history and want to learn more. The de Cordova headstone project and working on the upcoming Buck Winn project, the fourth grader history tour. I was William Winters in the field trip, and told about the old mill, it’s been fascinating… (I) love it all.”

You might see him at Market Days or other events, always ready to help others. Also, WIC’s Wimberley Valley Museum is open by appointment only. If you’d like to visit, you know who to call. John Poe is the person to contact.

To request an appointment email: [email protected]

Call or text (832)545-5036.