MOSES LAKE - John Poling, executive director of the Housing Authority of Grant County for 12 years, died this week.

"He was an awesome man," said Carol Anderson, the housing authority's deputy director, on Wednesday.

Poling worked for 35 years for affordable housing and community organizations, with 17 years with the North Columbia Community Action Council. He left his position as deputy director at the action council to work for the housing authority.

"Because of John's tremendous depth, knowledge and dedication, he was able to successfully manage a housing portfolio in excess of $65 million, with operating budgets over $8 million per year," Anderson wrote.

"Under John's leadership, the housing authority either acquired or developed more than 700 units of affordable housing in Grant and Douglas counties," Anderson wrote.

He served two years as president of the Association of Washington Housing.

"He was definitely one of a kind," said Ann Mix, a housing authority board member. "He cheered everyone up that went around him," Mix said.

"We're going to miss him so much," she said.

The Grant County Housing Authority is the best one she's encountered, Mix said. "He (Poling) is the one that was the wheel behind that."

"John's impressive legacy will be admired and respected for many years to come," Anderson wrote.