Richard "Dick" POOLE

Richard "Dick" Jean Poole passed away peacefully with his wife of 63 years, Gloria, at his side at Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, on May 6th, 2025.

He was born on May 7th, 1941, to Raymond Jesse Poole and Evelyn Margaret Campbell in Spokane, the third of four boys. Dick grew up in the Logan neighborhood attending Logan Grade School and Rogers High School. After high school, he attended Whitworth, majoring in Microbiology. He met his wife, Gloria Esposito, in 1961 at a Gonzaga Prep dance that he attended with his friend, Jack Butters, who introduced Gloria to Dick and the rest is history. Dick and Gloria married at St. Aloysius Parish on December 29th, 1962, and initially lived with Gloria's mother, Angelina Esposito, at the family home on Sharp Ave. That home would become in 1981 the family home for four generations.

Dick initially worked as a baker and then salesman for Bogey's Bakery and Gloria worked for Ma Bell. During this period, he would bring baked goods to the house every Saturday morning during cartoons for his family. They began their family with a son in 1963 and another son 13 months later after moving to the north side and establishing their home in St. Francis of Assisi Parish. They welcomed their first daughter in 1967 and second in 1970.

In 1971, Dick joined the Spokane Police Department and became Officer Poole, a role he assumed with great enthusiasm. As a police officer, he walked the beat, worked the Paddy Wagon, and was undercover for years as Darrell Johnson, a shoe salesman out of Portland. He embraced that identity for the rest of his life. After retirement, he took up woodworking. He built furniture and remodeled the family home on Sharp, rebuilt the lake house, remodeled his daughter's homes, his son's home, and was extremely generous with his time, never wanting to "be burning daylight." During his last few decades, he enjoyed time at the lake with Gloria, family and friends, and time in town having a beer with friends.

He was preceded by his mother and father; his daughter, Amee Maree; and his brothers, Raymond, Orville, and Steve. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gloria, children, Fr. Richard Poole, Brian and Anne Marie Poole, and Kristina and Gordon Blunt. His grandchildren, Angelina and Paul Poole, Abigail (Blunt) and Joseph Dimov, and Lane Blunt. Additionally, sister-in-law, Joyce Esposito; 13 nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Thomas More Parish on Monday, May 12th, 2025, beginning with a Rosary at 10:00 am, followed by Mass at 11:00 am, and committal at Holy Cross Cemetery at 12:30 pm. A reception will follow at St. Thomas More.

In lieu of ?owers, donations can be made to Bishop White Seminary. Online memorial page can be found at www.holycrossofspokane.org.