Charles Poole Jr.

Charles H. Poole, Jr. of Franklin, TN died at age 59 on April 16, 2008 after a year long courageous battle with cancer. Charles was a vibrant, energetic Middle Tennessee native living in several locations as his father, a Methodist minister, moved from charge to charge. During high school years at John Overton High, Nashville, he was very active - lettering in basketball, track and tennis. He was an Eagle Scout, was selected for Order of the Arrow, and was chosen for Wood Badge training as a scout leader. He was a good student and was elected President of the United Methodist Youth of the Tennessee Conference. This pattern continued at Birmingham-Southern College where he was a two-year President of Theta Chi Fraternity, Vice President of the Interfraternity Council and, as he said, "found Mom," later to be his wife of 38 years.
Upon graduation from Birmingham-Southern with a B.S degree in Biology he embarked on a distinguished career in the footwear industry. He became a respected product and sourcing specialist with Genesco, Timberland, Sperry, Georgia Boot and Radians. He holds two important U.S. footwear patents. He continued to work with his computer until ten days before his death.
Charles was a member of Thompson Station United Methodist Church, a former member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and a Church Trustee. He was an avid gardener, golfer and handyman, and he made a mean sweet pickle. Charles' proudest accomplishment was his family - beloved wife Patricia Trish Langstaff Poole; two children, Sam Tracy Poole of Providence Forge, VA and Krista Mike Carpenedo of Jacksonville, FL and three wonderful grandchildren: Jay and Reese Poole and Emmy Carpenedo. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by parents Rev. Charles and Ruth Poole of Nashville; sister Dian Harold Volkmer of Hannibal, MO; brother John Poole and Dr. Tania Schmid of St. Louis, MO ; parents-in-law George and Mickey Langstaff of Nashville; plus many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by grandparents Samuel and Bessie Poole and Connor and Lillian Coggin. Funeral services will be held at Harpeth Hills Memory Garden, 9090 Highway 100, Nashville on Saturday at 1 pm. Visitation before the service will begin at11 am. The Rev. Tim Taylor, a longtime family friend, will conduct the service. Pallbearers are: Tommy Dunlap, Rob Durrett, Peter Gardent, Chris Gentile, John Poole, Mike Tutor, Darrin Warren and Tom Williams. Honorary pallbearers are: Dr. Steve Frederick, David Pratt, George Stockman, Bill Douglas, Harold Volkmer, Thompson Station United Methodist Church members and Radians employees. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Thompson Station United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1515 Thompson Station Road West, Thompson Station, TN 37179, The American Cancer Society, or Alive Hospice. HARPETH HILLS 9090 Hwy 100 Nashville, TN 615-646-9292. www.harpethhills.com