Tommy L. Pool Sr.

Tommy Pool, knowing that his family would be okay, hurried home to be with his wife on March 27, 2010 for their 60th Anniversary on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.

He was born May 19, 1925 in Big Spring, Texas. Tommy played football for Odessa High School and became an avid football fan for all Odessa teams after moving to Odessa in 1939. Shortly after graduating from OHS, he enlisted in the Navy and served his country proudly in WWII on the LST-530 where he assisted in transporting troops and ammunition to the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day and after. He was also involved in the peace-keeping mission during the occupation of Japan. As a member of the US LST Association, he showed continued respect for his shipmates and Captain Duke. After beginning to speak in-depth about his WWII experiences, he humbly did so in schools, various other memorial functions, and newspaper interviews.

He retired from his position at the State of Texas, Texas Employment Commission after 35 years of service, but he saw his marriage and the raising of his children to be his greatest accomplishments. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

With Consuelo, his wife, he was a member of Flatlanders Ski Club joined and learned to ski when he was 70. He loved to fish, travel and dance with Consuelo and was known to sing Elvis tunes for tips; he was also a crossing guard at Blanton Elementary school for 3 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Consuelo, “Connie” Pool. He was also preceded in death by his mother, Beaulah May Hull Pool and father, Thomas Alvin Pool Sr.

He is survived by his son, Gerald Pool and wife Marcia of Monrovia, CA, daughter Cassandra Ellison and husband Mike Morris of Odessa, son Tommy Pool Jr. and Misty Locknane of Odessa and Thomas Martin Pool of Denver, CO. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Ginger Pool of Ft. Myers, FL., Brandi Pool of Odessa, Jott Pool of Odessa, Serenity Stringer of San Antonio, Ashleigh Stewart of Lampasas, April Barnhart of Odessa, Tommy Lee Pool of Denver, CO, Whitney Baird of Odessa, and Allison Kitchens of Ft. Worth. He is survived by 13 great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Ashton, Kournti, Autumn, Kaitlyn, Ahlana, Kaden, Aiden, Tanner, Hudson, Hannah, Aaron, and Skylar.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Butler and nurse, Jodi, Dr. Kodi, Stephanie Beard, student nurse at University Medical Center of Lubbock, and the dedicated staff of Regency Hospital of Odessa for taking such wonderful care of our father and grandfather. We wish to extend special thanks to Denise Stewart and Rhonda Ybaben for their loving support and Luke Chalmers for inpecably guiding us through the most difficult two months of our lives.