Raymond Earl Poole

Raymond Earl Poole, 63, fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. He left his earthly pain and suffering and took the hand of Jesus at approximately 8 am on February 11, 2016. Raymond was born on November 21, 1952 in Houston, Texas to Robert and Helen Killian Poole. He grew up in Aldine and graduated from Aldine High School. Following in his parents’ footsteps (who both worked for Southern Pacific Railroad) Ray became employed by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1971. He became a locomotive engineer in 1973 and continued his employment when Southern Pacific became a part of Union Pacific Railroad until his retirement in August of 2015.

He worked as a freight engineer between Houston and Echo/Lafayette, LA. He spent the last years of his career as an engineer at Eureka Yard in Houston. Ray loved his job as a Locomotive Engineer and was dedicated, worked hard, and made many lifelong friends there. Ray was a longstanding member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer having served as Local Chairman of Division 366. He was a Delegate to the National Conventions of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He was also a member of the Lady's Auxiliary to the BLET.

Ray found joy in his children and grandchildren. He loved to spend time with his family. Through illness, Ray tirelessly played with his grandchildren. When he wasn’t working or reading, he was traveling to his children’s homes to visit. Ray liked to spend time at the beach and he loved to salt water fish while at the Poole beach house in Boliver, Texas.

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Hammons Poole and 3 children: Amy Lynn Verret-Godfrey and husband, Randal Godfrey; James Ray Poole and wife Ashley Poole; and Jana Marie McLain and husband Craig McLain.

Ray was survived by sister, Elizabeth Delfield and husband George; sister, Cindy Wright and husband, Steve; and brother, Robert “Bobby” Poole, mother-in-law, Marie Hammons, brother-in-law, Roger D. Hammons and wife Rebecca Hammons. He was blessed to be an active part of the lives of his grandchildren. Grandchildren included: Branden Randal Godfrey, Ashlyn Marie Godfrey, Henderson Ray McLain, Ryanne Elizabeth Poole, and Mason Randall Poole. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service for Raymond E. Poole will be on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Pat H. Foley Funeral Home on 1200 West 34th Street, Houston, Texas 77018.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request a donation made in Ray’s name to the Scholarship Fund of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen or American Red Cross or a charity of your choice.