Frank Morrow Pool

Frank Pool, 98, went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family, in the early morning of January 12, 2017. He was born in Hill County, near Grandview, Texas, on August 29, 1918, to Francis Marion Pool and Elizabeth Rose Morrow Pool and grew up in Waco, Texas. Frank began working around the age of 12, delivering medicine, groceries, bakery goods, and Dr. Pepper. Frank's teenage work ethic stayed with him for the rest of his life. Frank received a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1941 from Texas A&M where he was recognized as a distinguished student and was a member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. After graduation, he worked for a short time with Humble Oil until he was called into active duty in the US Army, as America was thrust into World War II. He was a Platoon Leader of a tank company in the First Armored Division and fought in North Africa against the Germans and General Rommel. In 1943, he returned to the U.S. with his commander, General Lunsford Oliver, to help in the reorganization of the U.S. Armored Divisions. During his brief time in the States, Frank happened to meet, fall in love with, and become engaged to the love of his life, Elizabeth Hughes (Dad never was one to waste time; our entire family is particularly grateful for his inclinations during these few months in the States)! Frank returned to Europe in 1944 as a Captain and Company commander of four hundred men and forty-four tanks. His Company, along with hundreds of others, began the long, unimaginably horrific march across France toward Germany. Through engagement after engagement, he and his comrades earned the distinction that we give them today as being "The Greatest Generation." During his time of service, Frank was awarded the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and twice awarded the Purple Heart. Frank and Elizabeth were married on Feb. 16, 1946 in Mertzon, Texas. He worked briefly for Humble Oil in Livingston, Texas. He and Elizabeth moved to San Angelo in 1948 where Frank founded Pool Well Servicing Company and bought his first work-over rig. This was the beginning of his long and fruitful career in the energy business. Frank was an engineer, but more importantly, he had an extremely creative mind which he used to find new designs, new methods, new ways of thinking about the recovery of oil and gas, with safety as his top priority. Pool Company eventually became the largest service and drilling company in the world, operating more than 1,000 rigs in the United States and more than 20 foreign countries. Frank served as President of Pool Company from 1948 to 1978. He then served as Managing Director of Pool Company from 1978 to 1983 and President Emeritus from 1983 until 1995. He continued to serve as a consultant to the oil industry into the 21st century, never losing his intense passion for innovation in the production of energy. Frank's life was not limited to running a successful business; he loved San Angelo, and throughout his life, he sought to serve his city, his church, his state, and his profession. He served on the boards of San Angelo National Bank and Texas Commerce Bank Shares, GTE, Hardin Simmons University, San Marcos Academy, the Petroleum Engineering Industry Board at Texas A&M, San Angelo School Board (serving five years as President), The Executive Board of the Association of Students of Texas A&M, the State Board of Education, the Christian Life Commission, and he was a founding member of the Association of Energy Service Companies. In 2007, Frank was named San Angelo's Citizen of the Year. As all who knew him were well aware, Frank was a man of deep Christian faith. He became a member of First Baptist Church in 1948, where he taught a Sunday School class and served as a deacon. And guess what? He loved to play, too! He loved to play golf, fish, hunt, travel, and "go to the ranch" with his best friend and brother-in-law, Trice Davis. And he loved those Aggies, using any excuse to go to Aggieland and Kyle Field! Most importantly, he loved being with his family-first his wife, Elizabeth, and his three children, Frank, Mary Ellen, and Martha, and later his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He adored his brother-in-law, Vester Hughes, his sisters, his nieces and nephews, and he loved being a part of their lives. Besides his own home, his favorite place on earth was Lake City, Colorado, where he and Elizabeth enjoyed friends and family in their beautiful mountain home. This place was Dad's "heaven on earth." He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, his sweetheart, Elizabeth Pool; his beloved son, Frank M. Pool, Jr.; and his two sisters, Rosemary Davis and Betty Roof. He is survived by his two daughters, Mary Ellen Hartje and Martha Jean Elder; daughter-in-law, Valrie Pool; brother-in-law, Vester T. Hughes, Jr.; grandchildren, Lara West (Tim), Kristen Hartje (Mike), Lauren Martin (Taylor), Erin Coy (Jake), Elizabeth Chambers (David), and Stephen Elder (Wynne); Great Grandchildren, Owen Martin, Charlie Martin, Natalie Coy, Rose Chambers, Lawson Chambers, Camp Elder, Asher Elder, and Michael Carson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and lifelong friend, Ossie Thomas. Our family would like to express deep gratitude to the loving and loyal caregivers who took care of Dad in his home: Linda, Judy, Mandy, Leni, Lisa M, Lisa W, Lacy, Jessica, Emily, Maria, Chrystal, Lauren, Melissa, Vicki, Ashleigh, Deena, and the Hospice Angels. Memorials may be made to Hospice of San Angelo, First Baptist Church, Meals for the Elderly, Frank M. Pool, Jr. Graduate Scholarship Endowment (Angelo State University), Water for All (Southland Baptist Church), or the charity of your choice. Hearing the news of Dad's death, a dear friend wrote: "One of the greatest men I have ever known and one of the greatest friends I have ever had has completed his time on earth with magnificent service to country, community, family, and friends-everyone he knew. We on earth will miss him greatly-as there is no one exactly like him." To know him, truly, was to love him.