Jay D. Jervey
1930-2013
Jay Jervey passed away September 5, 2013, following complications from a stroke. He had a million dollar smile and was a friend to many, including everyone at Broker World.
John “Skeeter” Coleman had this to say about Jay:
Jay Jervey performed his first solo skydive at the age of 65—he was always a risk taker. Some say he was a contrarian, others, a curmudgeon. Whatever their description, it is challenging to delineate the many attributes of the man who, at the young age of 17, convinced military authorities that the Korean conflict could only be won if they allowed him to enter submarine school—and they did. His naval scuba diving career resulted in a burst tympanic membrane, so he transferred to the U.S. Air Force and became a cryptographer.
After his military career ended, a five-year stint as an underwriter in Prudential’s home office in Jacksonville preceded five years with American Heritage Life. Then Jay and three business partners formed their own life insurance company, American Life, which they later sold, resulting in Jay starting his independent brokerage agency in 1967.
To some home offices Jay was their worst nightmare, as his tenacity for broker and consumer representation bordered on harassment. His mantra, “think standard!” served his brokers and their clients extremely well for the 40-plus years he represented them. His pride in being a member of the Risk Appraisal Forum was superseded only by his hole-in-one in 1977 on one of the 312 golf courses he had played. His passion for golf was superseded only by his thirst for the 19th hole.
Jay’s beneficence to the less fortunate is legendary. Whenever someone came to his office for a financial infusion, Jay would invite them into his office, where he would discuss their situation, provide words of encouragement and then bestow the individual with much needed funds. He would make up work for many to perform so they could earn their ‘pay.’
Jay had the foresight to buy a long term care policy shortly after they were introduced. It served him well both at home and during his brief tenure in a nursing home following his stroke four months prior to his death. His entire family had visited him just the day before, and Pam Jervey, his devoted wife of 25 years, was with him when he died peacefully.
Whenever asked how he was doing, his legendary reply was: “There’s nothing wrong with me that the lottery won’t cure!” To the man who refused to wear a seatbelt and who never took his meds, we’re glad you finally got your winning ticket. [JSC]
Robert G. Poage
1928-2013
Robert G. (Bob) Poage was born in St. Joseph, MO and spent his youth on the family farm. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served his country as a naval aviator, flying Navy fighter planes for two years off the deck of the USS Boxer.
Bob entered the life insurance business in 1959 as an agent with The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, in Sacramento, CA. In 1968 he founded Robert Poage Insurance and Financial Planning Center, Inc.
Recognized and honored as an innovator and a pioneer, Bob was one of the first independent insurance agents to fully automate his agency with a computer, in 1971, writing his own software programs for agency management systems. Bob’s own commission tracking program later served as the agency commission accounting platform for the PDQ Agency Management System developed by First Colony Life.
In 1982 Bob founded his brokerage general agency, Poage Center Insurance Services, Inc., with his oldest son, Robert G. Poage, Jr. The agency grew quickly from a local/regional BGA into a national distributor of life insurance and annuity products. Poage Center was acquired by BISYS Insurance Services in 1999. Poage Center Insurance Services was a member of LIFE, Inc. and a founding partner of LifeMark Distributors.
During his years as a brokerage general agent, Bob was very involved in the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies. He was chairman of that organization in 1990 and served on numerous committees.
After Poage Center Insurance Services, Inc. was sold to BISYS Insurance Services, Bob and his wife, Dottie, retired and moved full time to their home in Palm Springs, CA, where Bob pursued his love of golf, flying and trading securities.
Bob was pre-deceased by Dottie in 2012; she was the love of his life for 59 years. Bob is survived by his sister, Frances Bowles, and his brother, Leroy Poage, both of St. Joseph, MO; his sons, Robert Poage, Jr., (Amy) of Rocklin, CA, and Harold Poage (Bonny) of Auburn, CA; and five grandchildren.
Bob will be greatly missed by many, but always remembered for his countless contributions and commitment to life insurance brokerage.
