James Lee Polk's Obituary
James Lee Polk was born in Oneonta, Alabama to George and Idell Polk. He was the oldest son of three children and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from East Technical High School and Cleveland State University. He received his Master of Business Administration from Golden State University in San Francisco.
In 1967 he became a Certified Public Accountant becoming one of the few black and worked for the Internal Revenue Service for six years beginning in 1962. He was an Internal Revenue Agent and later was accepted into their Executive Development program. Before he resigned he was Chief, Office Audit Branch with responsibility for all of Northern Ohio. The first black to hold such a position in the Country.
In 1968 he join Levi Strauss & Co, a multinational Corporation as Manager of their Tax Department. He was one only three blacks in the Country holding this position in a large multinational Company. He also held the positon of Assistant Controller. He was a member of the Tax Executive Institute, the California Society of CPA’s, Ohio Society of CPA’s, California Taxpayers Association and National Association of Accountants.
He taught finance and tax courses at Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University. He also taught in the graduate school of Taxation at Golden Gate University.
He was a very devoted member of the Church by The Side of The Road. He served as a Trustee for over 30 years. He also served as Financial Secretary for over 10 years.
James Lee Polk passed away on May 3rd, 2018 at 9:45 a.m. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Polk; son, Eric Polk; daughter, Belinda Birton (Moo); grandchildren, James Edgar Frizzell and Brittany Marie Frizzell; great grandchildren, Loralie Taylor Frizzell and Sophia Jaymes Frizzell; daughter- in- law Emily Frizzell; son- in- law, DeAndre Birton; brother Lawrence Polk (deceased), sister, Christine Lipscomb (deceased), sister-in-law Patricia Polk; brother-in-law, Marian Lipscomb (deceased) and host of relatives and friends.
He leaves to cherish his memory.
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