THOMAS MICHAEL POOLE

My Story I was born on March 13, 1984. My overjoyed parents are Harold and Alice Poole of Riverdale, CA. They told me I was a beautiful, precious baby boy with big, blue eyes (a picture is worth a thousand words).

Growing up, I had the great life of a country farm boy. My two beautiful sisters, Stephanie Poole (Jon) Culver and Kristina Poole (Casey) Case, joined me when I was three and half and five years old. We, as families do, made a lot of good memories together, and weoften enjoyed reminiscing with laughter.

I attended the schools of Riverdale School District, graduating from Riverdale High School in 2002. During that time, I also attended Sunday School at Riverdale Assembly and church at Calvary Christian Fellowship.

During my early teens, I enjoyed harvesting hay and plowing fields for the family business. It was my Avo, the late Ben Fontes, along with my dad that I aimed to please. My Avo (nicknamed Boo) would park his pickup and watch me lay that hay down, or plow that field with precision (no GPS at that time). My Va, Ana Fontes, loves me as she does all her children and grandchildren, and gets the greatest joy from watching us devour her delicious meals. This family life on the farm became a gratifying routine. My greatest hobby is to deer hunt with my dad and grandpa, the late Harold Poole, along with my Uncle Shelby (Lisa) Poole, and our annual deer hunting friends. We would return to camp with different theories as to why no deer seemed to be around. However, in my fifteen years of hunting, I did manage to trophy two nice­sized bucks. There is much more to my story, but just know that I lived the best I could. On February 13, 2016, I made that glorious journey to my Heavenly Father's house.

John 3:16-For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. In addition to the family members aforementioned, I also have an awesome nephew, Luke Anthony Ghidelli, who is my Godchild, as well as my two step­nieces Kaely and Brooklyn Case. Along with Luke, Kaely, and Brooklyn are my uncles T­Jim (T­Natalie) and T­Tony (Judy) Fontes, my aunt T­Mia (Earl) Schilling, and my aunts Vickie Reetz and Linda (George) McKean. The numerous first cousins are: Marianne Fontes, Jeff (Lauren) Fontes, Elaine (Antonio) Mazzola, Keith (Nikki) Nunes, Jennifer (Trevor) Lopes, Justin (Veronica) Mello, Tricia (Tom) Ghode, Brian (Lisa) Farmen, Jeff (Marissa) Farmen, Kristi McKean, Tracy (Dan) Hansen, George McKean III, Melissa (Sean) O'Connor, Lindsay (Todd) Jordan, Ryan Poole, Kelly and Jenna Fox, and Nikki, Randi, and Randall McKinney and their families. I am preceded in death by my cousin Dennis Fontes, my aunts Myrna Ross and Darlene Alvey, and my grandmother, Mildred Poole. My family is honoring me with a Celebration of Life on Friday, February 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Riverdale Assembly of God, 2813 W. Mt. Whitney Avenue, Riverdale, CA 93656, followed by my burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Laton, CA. Immediately following, lunch will be provided at Riverdale Memorial Hall. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to an organization or person(s) of your choice in order to honor my heartfelt compassion for those who struggle.

Arrangements are by Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore.

(This story was composed by those who know and love me dearly-until we meet again...)