Judith (Judie) James Pohl was born in Inglewood on September 13, 1944 to Ernest and Ruth James.  She was their only child and their pride and joy!  She grew up on Otis in South Gate and attended San Gabriel Elementary School and South Gate Junior and Senior High Schools.  Judie's outgoing personality drew many friends to her not only in our 1962 class but extended to older and younger classmates as well.  She was always fun to be with and our senior year, she, Sally Buma Newman (S'62) and Bonnie Benson Concialdi (S'62) had lots of fun adventures together!  Outside of school, Judie enjoyed participating in Job's Daughters with many of her school friends, Sue King Ross (S'62) being one.    

After high school Judie met and fell in love with Ray Pohl.  They enjoyed lots of fun times together with their combined group of friends.  They were married on July 5, 1964 at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in South Gate.  They began their married life at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka Kansas, as Ray was in the Air Force.  When his tour of duty ended, they settled in Brea, where they raised their three children, Lisa, Danny and Ronnie.  

Judie and Ray enjoyed taking their three children camping and trips to Colorado and the Colorado River to visit relatives many summers while the kids were growing up.  They always went by car as Judie was afraid of flying.  Judie and Ray were also very active in their children's sports teams.  Judie even volunteered one year to be the coach for one of their son's Little League baseball teams when no one else volunteered!

Keeping their friendships going, now as families, Judie and Ray would get together with Sally and Bob Newman, Bonnie and Vince Concialdi, and had many fun trips to the river and camp grounds with Sue and Jerry Ross, Richard and Barbara Beard and others.  Judie was Co-Chairman of our Ten-Year Reunion and continued to be an active member of most all our reunion committees there after.

Judie began working at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton after her children were older.  She loved her work and made many friends during her time there, which lasted until she retired at age 74.  Judie and Ray loved spending time with their grandchildren, Shana, Joey, Kristen, and Johnny.  They also were very active in their church, Eastside Christian Church, and loved volunteering as "greeters" and welcoming everyone as they entered Eastside Church each Sunday.   

Judie was loved by all and had the sweetest soul ever.  She truly enjoyed people, as evidenced by her 4,152 Facebook friends, where she got the nickname of JJP (Judie James Pohl).  She was a devout Christian and her family is at peace knowing she is with her loving husband, Ray, who preceded her in death in June 2021.  Her family knows she was welcomed to Heaven with open arms, and they know Judie and Ray will carry on as "greeters" at the gates of Heaven.  May you rest in peace dear classmate.

A Celebration of Life for Judie will be held in the Fall.  If anyone would like to contact Judie's daughter, Lisa, for more information, please email her at Kowalczyk@cox.net.