Thomas Joseph Poole

Thomas Joseph Poole passed away at age 90 on Friday, June 3, 2022, at his residence in Andrews, TX.

Tom was born on August 11, 1931 in Madisonville, TX to Uzell and Rhoda Poole. He graduated from Madisonville High School in 1948 before attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a Batchelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering in 1953.

Tom married Billie Joyce Wells on May 30, 1953 in Madisonville. Tom and Billie were both born and raised in Madisonville and were high school classmates. They began their relationship when both were students at Sam Houston State University.

Following marriage, Tom and Billie moved to Beeville, TX where he began his career with Pan American Petroleum. Shortly after he was drafted into the United States Army where he performed administrative and technical duties while serving overseas in Japan and Korea.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1955, Tom rejoined Billie and resumed his career in oil and gas with Pan American, which had become Standard Oil and soon became American Oil Corporation (Amoco). They became a family of three when their daughter Pamela was born in 1962.

Tom’s career path with Amoco was an upward trajectory which took the Pooles to various cities which included Houston, Beaumont, Tulsa, Chicago, Lake Charles, and New Orleans. From his beginnings as a roustabout in 1953, Tom ended his distinguished 36-year career in 1989 as the Regional Production Manager of Amoco’s New Orleans Region.

Following retirement, Tom and Billie remained in New Orleans until moving into their new home in The Woodlands, TX in 1996 where they would live for 25 years. They had recently moved to Andrews to be closer to family.

In retirement Tom and Billie enjoyed meeting friends for dinner and trips, and they traveled to interesting places with the Texas Exes Association. One of Tom’s great pleasures was to spend time in his hometown of Madisonville, where he tended to family land in Pee Dee and Greenbriar, logged many hours on his tractor, and engaged in lively conversation with friends at the feed store.

Tom was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He found great joy in the lives and accomplishments of his family, especially grandsons Eric and Cason who called him “Pops Man.”

Tom was a faithful member of WoodsEdge Community Church in The Woodlands, TX.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Billie, and his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and George Linnenberg.

Tom is survived by his daughter Pamela Brownlee (husband Elvin Brownlee III); grandson Eric Brownlee (wife Britney Brownlee), all of Andrews; grandson Cason Brownlee of Denver, CO; niece Lisa Shelfer (husband David Shelfer) of Houston, and their family; and niece Elaine Thompson (husband Larry Thompson) of San Antonio, and their family.

Funeral services will be June 15, 2022 at Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, TX. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 AM, followed by services at 11:00 AM, with graveside immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to WoodsEdge Community Church or the Madisonville Cemetery Association.

Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas is entrusted with final arrangements.