Kay Poole

Kay Farr Poole, 84, died peacefully in Trenton Michigan January 8, 2016. Her amazing strength, wonderful smile, and love for a great adventure will be truly missed. Kay was born November 14, 1931 the only child to Glen and Lilyan (Urwin) Farr at Evanston, IL. Raised by her single mother in the depression, with the help of Aunts and Uncles, she grew up quickly. When she was 9 years old her mother married Clarence Campbell, whom she adored and referred to as "Pap" and they moved to Georgia. There, Kay savored the "finer" things in life; slipping down to the docks when the ships came in to see bananas off loaded, playing with the spiders that came with the bananas (Tarantulas!), and pecans, a favorite of hers to the end! After she graduated high school, 11th grade in those days, her family moved to Terre Haute, Indiana where she was required to attend another year of high school as the laws had changed that year and school-aged children were to complete 12 years of class to graduate. As it turns out, that year was her most enjoyable, most memorable year of school ever! She made true friends, was a drummer in the marching band, and formed her lifelong love of dancing; and man could she dance! She enjoyed attending as many Gerstmeyer Tech reunions as possible. Her parents then moved to Heber Springs, Arkansas. Kay, at 17 years of age, chose to stay behind and moved into an apartment by herself and took an editing job for the phone book! Her attention to detail was a skill she excelled at her entire life. When she finally moved to Heber Springs a year later, she met Lafayette E. Poole (known as L. E.). Their fates were sealed when she was introduced to him and she laughed in his face saying no one could have a name like that! Two years later she joined L. E., who was in the Air Force in England, where they were married July 31, 1952 on the Royal Air Force Station Burtonwood in Lancashire. They enjoyed life there; raised Cairn Terriers, were joined by a son, Kevin, in 1954, and returned home to Arkansas in 1955. To help support the family while L. E. attended college, Kay worked in the office of the Agriculture Department at the University of Arkansas where she developed a life-long love of football; Go Hogs! During that time, their daughter Robin joined the family and when L.E. graduated they moved to Billings, Montana where daughter Tracy completed the family. Kay worked for Hagen's Printing, the Billings Gazette, and the Red Cross. However, the profession she held near and dear was driving school buses. She treasured her Commercial Drivers License! Kay drove for the public school system, for the Salvation Army, and as a tour-bus driver for the Custer Battlefield, all of which she loved, but, the highlight of her career, and possibly her life, was driving firefighting crews in Yellowstone Park in 1988 and across Montana for several years after. Kay was a foundation in the Yellowstone 4-H program for many years. She helped organize countless horse shows, events to support the county nursing home, supported the local extension agency, was a driving force in installing an emergency phone system in Billings before 911 was in place; there was not a 4-H event in which she was not a prominent figure. She continued her support for the community throughout her life by collecting clothes and other necessities, including stuffed toys for comfort, and distributing them to area nursing homes. Kay was preceded in death by her husband Lafayette E. Poole. She is survived by her son, Kevin Poole, daughters Robin (Mikal Werre) Poole, and Tracy (Ray) Swinea, and grandchildren Timothy Swinea, David Daumiller and Amanda Daumiller. Keep dancing Mom! A memorial service will be held at a date-to-be-determined, Spring 2016, in Billings Montana, with internment at the National Veterans Cemetery in Laurel Montana. In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Kay's life may be made to the nursing home of the donor's choice. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY VISITATION OR SERVICE: The Trenton Chapel - Martenson Family of Funeral Homes 3200 West Rd., Trenton, MI 48183