Harold Jackson Polk was just 17, a skinny high school dropout from rural Oklahoma, when he joined the Navy in 1941. By the time he retired to Oak Harbor in 1989 he was an emeritus university professor who had seen much of the world and worn many hats.
Mr. Polk died Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Anacortes after a long illness. He was 86.
Even though he built a successful second career in education, the Navy played a central role throughout Mr. Polk’s life. He was a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and served on bomber crews in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
After the war, he served on air bases from Hawaii to Key West, Fla., as an aviation structural mechanic and was on the commissioning crew of the USS Ranger, one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world when it was launched in 1957. Later, he would organize the 1998 Ranger reunion in Seattle. He was a Chief Petty Officer when he retired from the service in 1961.
Mr. Polk used his GI Bill benefits after his first retirement to earn a high school diploma, teacher’s credential, master’s degree and doctorate in education in rapid succession. He was awarded an Ed.D by the University of Missouri in 1969 and joined the faculty of Oklahoma State University as associate professor of industrial education. His work in the field of vocational education led to a yearlong assignment in Amman, Jordan, as an advisor to the Ministry of Education.
During his university years, Mr. Polk became an avid pilot, indulging the passion for flight that he developed in the Navy. For a few years, he owned and operated an aviation services business with his late wife, Minnie Evelyn Polk, who died in 1995.
When Mr. Polk retired from OSU, the couple was drawn to Whidbey Island by the scenery, climate and proximity to the Naval Air Station. They settled in Oak Harbor and quickly became a part of the local square dancing movement. They were members of the Whidbey Whirlers and past presidents of the Fidalgo Fogcutters.
Mr. Polk married Virginia Erline Sauer, a fellow square dancer, in 1996. He is survived by Virginia, his daughter Aleta Watson of Ben Lomond, Calif., son Dale Polk of Temecula, Calif., grandson Gabriel Watson of Portland, Ore., great-grandchildren Xavier and Santiago Watson, stepchildren Linda Lynn of Camano, Ken Gillette of Freeland, Paul Gillette of Shoreline, Peggy Mercado of Vancouver, Wash., and Tom Gillette of Darrington, and seven step-grandchildren.
Cremation was held with private interment and a memorial service to be followed at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.
