John Poteet

John Horace Poteet, one of the best known attorneys in the Upper Cumberland, died Monday, October 6, at the age of 85. He practiced law here for 30 years, served as Cookeville city attorney at one time, taught business law at Tennessee Tech, and gave years of service to the community through civic and church activities. But impressive as it was, his successful career was not what made everyone he met consider him a dear friend. No, it was that twinkle-in-the-eye wit and charm, his gift for connecting with others, and his contagious zest for life. As his grandson, Ryan Dalton, said, "Papa – as he is known to me – was someone who knew how to deeply appreciate and enjoy every passing second of life. With him, there was no such thing as an insignificant moment, or person who was not worthy of his time, wit, jokes, wisdom, and laughter." He was born May 9, 1929, in Algood, the son of Sam Denton Poteet and Berilla Holladay Poteet. In the 1940's, Sam Denton Poteet served as Putnam County sheriff, and the family lived at the Putnam County jail during that time, perhaps a factor in John's career choice and interest in public service. John was a graduate of Tennessee Tech and a graduate of the College of Law at the University of Tennessee. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed near Paris, France, for a time. In 1951, he and Elizabeth (Bettie) Mann, also of Cookeville, were married in Paris. Here in Cookeville as he practiced law, earning the respect of colleagues and many others who still speak of him with fond admiration today, he and his wife brought up their daughter, Beth Poteet Anderson, and two sons, John and Jack Poteet, and also counted Beth's best friend, Jenny Jackson Spurlock, as a "bonus" daughter. "He was the best dad in the world," his daughter said. "We rode bikes, went to the pool, took night walks, camped, boated, entertained, and traveled." His children and grandchildren delighted in his company, as he always had time for adventure, whether it was sailing, scuba diving, flying planes, or hang gliding. He loved tennis, he loved traveling, and he made sure his children learned to enjoy attending plays, going to museums and art exhibits, and traveling. He adored his wife of 63 years, and she was with him in his final hours on Monday, holding his hand and talking to him, reminding him of their lifelong adventures, traveling the world and living in other places for weeks or months or years at a time, but always returning to Cookeville, their daughter said. "They always held hands," she said. "They had a love story like no other." In the courtroom, John Poteet was known for his courtesy, as well as for his knowledge of the law, colleagues recalled. "He was an excellent lawyer who won his cases by his expertise in the law, his ability to communicate, and his knack for fitting them together to properly present his case," said attorney Jerry Jared. "He was always a gentleman in court and accomplished his goal of properly representing his clients without being rude and mean to the opposing counsel. He was also a walking encyclopedia as to the history of Putnam County and the families living here. He will be missed by his profession, his friends, and the community as a whole." Retired Chancellor Vernon Neal said, "He was not only a great lawyer, but also a great person and a dear friend. He was always upright and very professional." Chancellor Ron Thurman described him as "always a perfect gentleman." "He was old-school professional. He was a gentleman always, and a worthy adversary. He was from a dying breed, those who practiced law when it was more a profession than a business. Their word was their bond. There was no need to write it down. If they gave their word, that was their bond." In addition to his parents, other family members who preceded him in death include three brothers, Robert, Sam, and George Poteet, and a grandson, Tanner Dalton. His family includes his wife, Bettie; his daughter, Beth Poteet Anderson; two sons, John (Ginny) Poteet and Jack (Lena) Poteet; one "bonus" daughter, Jenny Spurlock; one sister, Doris Alford; three grandsons and one granddaughter-in-law, Ryan Dalton, John Dalton (wife Darcy), and Eli Anderson; and two great granddaughters, Callie and Tessa Dalton. A celebration of his life will be held at the Leslie Town Center in Cookeville on Saturday, October 18, 2014, beginning at 2 p.m., and it will be a party featuring some of his favorite snacks and a time for laughing, joking, and storytelling, family members said. His family request no flowers, but rather that donations in his memory be made to Rising Above Ministries, PO Box 222, Cookeville, TN, 38503, or to Algood Methodist Church, 135 W. Main Street, Algood, TN 38506 where he was a member.