POOLE, Kenneth E., 82, Clinton, February 11, 2016. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 26, at 1 p.m. at Clinton Baptist Church, Clinton. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
CLINTON —Kenneth E. Poole, 82, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Thursday morning, February 11. with his wonderful wife, Ramona, and daughters by his side following a short battle with cancer and heart disease.
Ken and Ramona were married for 61 years and displayed an example of pure “true love” for each other, especially in the last weeks of his life. Though on hospice care, it was Ramona that did many of the daily tasks necessary to care for Ken, always with a heart of pure love for which Ken always commended her and thanked her and also thanked the Lord for her.
Kenneth was born in Del Ray, VA, on April 27, 1933. He graduated from Hyattesvill High School, MD in 1951. He joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and was later stationed in Presque Isle, ME, where he met the love of his life from “THE County.” He and Ramona were married in 1954. He was discharged from the Service in July 1955.
He served the Lord as a Pastor for 59 years. He preached his first sermon in 1956 and his last on September 20, 2015. He and Ramona served the Lord together in churches in ME, CT, VT and NJ. After retiring from their last full-time church in Barrington, NJ, they became members of the Clinton Baptist Church and have remained members since that time. Although Ken retired full-time preaching from Barrington, NJ in 1996, he continued with interim preaching at various churches until his sermon last October.
Together Ken and Ramona had five children, with Karen, their last daughter being born on Ken’s birthday. She was their most expensive child as she cost Ken a dozen roses. He told Ramona if she gave him another girl on his birthday, he’d buy her a dozen roses. Thus, Karen was born at 11:50 p.m. on his birthday! Ken and Ramona enjoyed listening to their children sing and play their musical instruments, often in concerts in various churches.
It is no secret that Ken’s favorite activity was keeping his car clean, and waxed, and waxed some more, and waxed one more time just in case he missed a spot! Perhaps his worst day of his illness was learning his license had been suspended… Right up there with shining his car was spending time with his great-grandchildren. Two days before he passed away, he had the opportunity to spend time with the four that live close to him and he enjoyed every minute of that day. While they were there, he was so much stronger and coherent. Within hours of the last one going home, he was totally confused.
As a family, and Ken himself would tell you, that we are so thankful he never suffered the pain from his advanced cancer. The Lord graciously allowed his heart to stop before he had to experience that pain.
The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice and especially Sara for the excellent service they gave not only Kenneth, but our family as well. Because of Sara, we were able to keep Dad home where we could care for him and love him. Sara taught us how to give him the medical care he needed and to make us comfortable doing what was needed each step of the way. She was also able to help Dad accept the changes in his body and not to fear them. Dad was so thankful to be at home instead of in a hospital or nursing home setting.
Kenneth was pre-deceased by his parents, Firmin and Pauline Poole; son-in-law, Harold Willey; and his grandson, Matthew Poole.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Ramona; his children, Randy and wife Evonne, of Plantation, FL, Eugene and wife, Annette of Prior Lake, MN, Stephen and wife, Heather of Colchester, VT, Naomi and husband, Kevin of Clinton, ME, and Karen of Clinton, ME; sister, Phyllis and husband, Leo Deggs of Lenoir City, TN; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 26, at 1 p.m. at Clinton Baptist Church, 10 Spring Street in Clinton, Rev. Robert Philbrick officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory may be made to Beacon Hospice, 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 12, Augusta, ME 04330 or Bibles International, 609 36th St., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548. Interment will be held on June 17, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Perham. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.duncan-graves.com.
