Carl Edwin Poling, Jr.

Carl Edwin Poling, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on June 7, 2011 at the age of 85. A native of southern Illinois, Carl was born October 16, 1925 to Carl Edwin Poling and Ella Spohn Poling, the eldest of their five children.

Raised in DuQuoin, Illinois, he graduated from DuQuoin High School in 1943, then enlisted in the Army Air Corp Cadet Program, serving until the end of World War II.

When the war ended, Carl enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma where he met and fell in love with Ruth Margaret McClellan of Wichita Falls. Following their marriage, they moved to Urbana-Champaign where he completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Following their move to Houston in 1951, Carl went to work for Cleco, the engineering division of Reed Roller Bit Co., where he established a reputation as a talented and respected young engineer. In the mid 1950’s, he was a lead designer of the patented processes for the automation and computerization of the assembly lines for the major automobile companies in Detroit. Several years later, Carl joined Hydraquip Corporation where he remained for the rest of his professional career, retiring as President in 1990.

Carl was a member of Braeburn Country Club, Houston Engineering and Scientific Society and several other professional organizations, and was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church for over 50 years.

Carl never lost his great love of classical music and was a talented violinist, competing and placing second in the Illinois Auditions as a teen. He loved to read, play bridge, and to travel, but most of all he loved to be surrounded by his family.

Carl is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Margaret McClellan Poling, and their three daughters and sons in law: Patricia P. Hopson and husband Harry D. Hopson of Houston, Margaret (Peggy) P. Copp and husband Dana S. Copp of Austin, and Constance P. Campbell and husband Drew (Sandy) A. Campbell of Dallas. He is also survived by his grandchildren Meredith H. Hopson, Shaun-Elizabeth H. Dickerson and husband Wesley H. Dickerson, Tully M. Campbell, and Kyle H. Campbell. He is also survived by three siblings, Nila Louise P. Swallers, Dwayne E. Poling, and Raymond D. Poling, and a number of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Marvin E. Poling.

The family would like to thank Julie Beltran, Jenny Rodriquez, Delores Velis, and Sulma Pineda for their loving care and devotion to Carl during his illness.

A memorial service and mass will be held on Friday, June 10 at 11:00 in the morning at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood Drive in Bellaire. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Parish Hall.

For those desiring, contributions may be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood Drive, Houston, Texas 77081; or to F.P.D.A. Education Scholarship Fund (benefiting engineering educations), 105 Eastern Ave., Suite 104, Annapolis, MD 21403-3307 in memory of Carl Edwin Poling.