- Date Of Death: February 13, 2023
- State: Maryland
Kenneth L. Poole was born on February 23, 1928 in Alexandria, Va. and died on February 13, 2023 in Sandy Spring, Md. just 10 days short of his 95th birthday. His parents were Louis and Iola (Finnell) Poole. He often joked he was born in the bushes behind the Masonic Temple in Alexandria as he was born at home and their house was on a small street behind the temple. At the age of 5, Kenny moved with his parents to his grandparent’s farm in Burtonsville, MD. He attended Fairland Elementary and graduated from Sherwood High School in 1945 at the age of 17.
Kenny was a farmer and also joined his father in the electrical trade, working for his dad during the day and farming evenings and Saturdays. Sunday was reserved for the church and Sabbath rest. In 1959 he was hired by the Montgomery County Government as a maintenance electrician working under his father. After his father retired in 1969, Kenny was promoted to foreman of the electric shop and remained there until his retirement in 1986. During that time he received his certification as a Master Electrician.
Kenny was heavily involved in his church, serving in many areas. In the early 1950’s when the church building was moved back from the road and bricked, Kenny and his dad along with other men from the church used their tractors and scoops to dig out the basement. Then Kenny and his dad did all of the electrical work. In the early 1960’s an addition was added to the church and Kenny and his dad did all of the electrical work for that. Again in 1965 when the parsonage was built they did the electrical for that. All of their time and materials was donated. Kenny was also a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, trustee, treasure of the building program, delegate to annual conference and organist. He and his dad sang in a male quartet that traveled through Maryland and Virginia singing at other churches. He was devoted to God and the church.
Kenny was also involved in the conference. He and his dad did a lot of the electrical work on the campground in Spencerville. He also served as a trustee, treasurer of the Board of Christian Education, member and chair of the Board of Ministerial Education and Guidance; and a member of the Board of Administration.
Kenny served 36 years on the Board of Trustees of Oakdale Christian High School in Jackson, KY. For 14 of those years he served as the Chairman of the Board. He led the school through a very difficult time when it almost closed its door. The school in now thriving as a live-in school, now called Oakdale Christian Academy.
In the early 1960’s a good friend introduced Kenny to flying. He took lessons and got a private pilot’s license. He co-owned a plane with 2 others and later his own plane. It turned out to be an expensive hobby but we all enjoyed it while we could. Mom once said that if he died in a plane crash he would have died happy, doing something he loved.
He is survived by his daughter, Peggy Ann Poole; his daughter-in-law, Debby Poole; his grandchildren, Christopher Poole, Jennifer (Phil) Neese and Nicole (Bryan) Brigner; his 4 great grandchildren, Haley, Landon and Hannah Brigner; and Abigail Neese. There is another great granddaughter on the way due to arrive in June. He was predeceased by his wife Anna and his son Kenneth (Chip) Jr.
