Thomas Daniel Poling

Thomas Daniel Poling, 67, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away at his residence in Bartlesville, on Tuesday evening, August 19, 2025.

Thomas was born on May 1, 1958, to Harley Junior Poling and Shirley Louise (Pastie) Poling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He grew up in New Bedford, graduating from high school there. Thomas went on to attend Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, earning his bachelor’s degree in education.

After college, he returned to his hometown in New Bedford to teach at the elementary and coach the high school basketball team. With Thomas’ passion for coaching and developing children through sports, his basketball team at New Bedford went on to be successful with the team winning state championships back-to-back years in 1993 and 1994.

In 1995, Thomas and his family relocated to Texas, where he would raise his three children: Ashley, Angela, and Austin. He continued to pursue his passion for coaching, and in 2013 developed a 3-on-3 memorial basketball tournament titled “Live Like Josh,” that honored a local player and had great success within the community.

In 2020, Thomas moved to Bartlesville and took at job at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, working as a basketball coach.

In his free time, Thomas enjoyed watching all types of sports, always cheering for the Boston teams. He enjoyed listening to motivational speaking, coaching and developing players, late night snacks, especially peanut butter roll-ups, and watching movies.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents: Harley and Shirley Poling.

Those left to cherish the memory of Thomas include his children: Ashley Cook and husband, Thomas, Angela Hawkins and husband, Hayden, and Austin Poling and wife, Mallory; his three grandchildren: Samuel Cook, Hudson Hawkins, and Abigail Hawkins, along with many lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life for Thomas will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel at the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Campus, located at 2201 Silver Lake Road in Bartlesville with Kyle White officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. To send an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.