Service, family and charities
Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2009
Born in a mill town, Observer motorsports reporter David Poole, who died Tuesday, always took care of the home folks first.
When he took up a cause, it was because he knew in his heart he was on the right side. And you knew he believed in it, with a passion.
David's family asks that, in lieu of flowers, you consider two causes that hit home with him Pennies for Wessa and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Pennies for Wessa www.penniesforwessa.org raises money for Wessa Miller, the girl who in 1998, when she was 6, gave Dale Earnhardt a lucky penny the day before the Daytona 500. Earnhardt glued the penny inside his No. 3 Chevrolet and, on his 20th try, finally won NASCAR's biggest race.
David wrote about Wessa on the 10th anniversary of that race. Because that story made people want to help the Millers deal with the costs that come with treating Wessa's spina bifida and related medical conditions, David helped create Pennies for Wessa.
To contribute, you can visit the website, or send a memorium to Pennies For Wessa, Attention: Mike Damron, Community Trust Bank, P.O. Box 39, Mouthcard, Ky. 41548.
Victory Junction is a camp www.victoryjunction.org, built in memory of Adam Petty, son of NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, to enrich the lives of seriously ill children and those with chronic medical conditions.
To contribute to the camp, you can visit the website or send a memorium to Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, N.C., 27317.
- Mike Persinger, sports editor
Visitation and services
The family of David Poole will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at McLean Funeral Home, 700 South New Hope Road, Gastonia, N.C.
Services are Thursday at 1 p.m. at Parkwood Baptist Church, 1729 East Garrison Boulevard in Gastonia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to www.penniesforwessa.org, or www.victoryjunction.org
David Poole's family
He is survived by his wife Katy, children Matthew Smarr, David Mack, Emily Mack, sister Gina Houk and husband Wayne, nieces Megan Marr and Allison Houk, and nephew Alex Houk; grandniece Graclynne; sister-in-law Lori Ross and husband Danny, nephew Mark Ross; niece Danielle O'Neill and husband Steve; brother in law Alan Stewart and wife Ashley, nephew Garren Stewart, niece Myers Stewart; father-in-law Dean Stewart; and grandson Eli.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Sue Poole of Gastonia, and mother-in-law Vivian Stewart.
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