Tim Poole

Timothy Douglas Poole was born May 14, 1969, to Henry Douglas and Patricia Faye (McCollom) Poole. He was full of life from the moment he entered this world until he had to depart on April 25, 2025 – too soon for all of us. He filled a room with his personality: an avid (and exceptional) drummer, a ‘sit-down’ comedian, and a great protector. He never met a stranger, and always found a way to help us smile. All of us who knew him, loved him, and he loved us back.

Tim’s youth was spent exploring the hills and hollers of Cunningham and the surrounding communities. He grew up within a rock’s throw of his cousin Billy as well as just a short hop over to his beloved Nanny and Dan Dan. Tim made the most of being able to share time with them, yet his family connections and ancestry went so much deeper in this area. He attended Central Elementary School, just like his mother had. He graduated from Montgomery Central High School having run through the adjacent cow pastures during track practice, serving as the newspaper co-editor his senior year, and collecting stories that later brought peals of laughter and delight to the listeners and requests for retelling from his girls.

Tim’s time at Austin Peay State University was on the extended plan as he paid his own way. He continued collecting stories of the people who shared his path while there. Graduating with a degree in history, Tim utilized his passion for Tennessee in his career with Tennessee State Parks across 30 years. He served at Port Royal State Park, Dunbar Cave State Park, Fort Pillow State Park, and concluded his time with TSP as the Manager of Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park for 20+ years. Across his career, Tim enthusiastically participated in interpreting Tennessee’s history at sister parks through living history: dressing in period attire and telling the stories of inspiring Tennesseans. He loved working with his brothers and sisters at arms across the State to help visitors be as captivated with its pre/history and its people as he was. At home, Tim could usually be found singing through the hall, dancing beside the kitchen counter, beating a smooth rhythm on whatever object was closest, sharing his latest song/artist/band discovery, and doing whatever he thought could make us laugh (even when we had to tell him to be a little quieter doing so). Anticipating retirement, Tim had begun to dream about what might be next.

Captured by her heart, Tim married the love of his life, Inge, when they were both 28. Their story started at a Tennessee State Parks training where they met over a shared lunch, and God would then carry them through to Tim’s dying breath. Sharing time with family was a priority together. Always passionate about his Scottish heritage, a highlight of their marriage was a trip to the UK to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and their daughter’s graduation from high school. It is his daughter, Zoe, that was his greatest pride on earth.

Remembering Tim’s faith in God and his sureness in his next heavenly home, we are living by moving forward and loving Tim. For this is not about a Tim who was loved, but a Tim that is loved. To the heart, love is not a past-tense word. It is always present, in every breath, every sob, every smile, every spark of laughter. It plays our hearts as does a piper – at times the tune is a happy reeling, bouncing one that fills the air with an infectious joy. At others, the tune may shift into a mournful, rhythmic lilting, where every breath seems to hang on each quavering note. This bittersweet melody of losing Tim will ring in our ears and hearts for a long time to come and will be conspicuously missing the ever-present beat of his drums.

Tim was preceded in death by his father, Henry Douglas Poole, his grandparents, Thomas “Dan Dan” and Magolean (Hayes) McCollom and Arthur and Pearl (Baggett) Poole. He is survived by “his girls” – his wife, Inge (Rapp) Poole and his daughter and joy of his heart, Zoe Frances Poole – as well as his beloved mother, Patricia Faye (McCollom) Poole. He is also survived by his parents-in-law, Michael and Sharon (Book) Rapp, sister-in-law Gretchen Rapp, nephew Kellan Sakkinen, and brother-in-law Shane Sakkinen, as well as his Uncle Rodney & Aunt Nell Poole, like-Aunt Dunise Lewis, a host of cousins, and innumerable friends who were like brothers and sisters.

Our family would love to recognize the tender care of the Jackson-Madison County Hospital Neurology ICU team in supporting all of us across Tim’s final days. We also want to acknowledge the countless prayers, texts, calls, posts, and visits that sustained us, filled in gaps, and helped us feel connection. The sheer volume of contacts doesn’t allow for individual recognition, but reminds us of just how loved Tim was and the extent of his reach. In lieu of flowers and gifts, our family requests you enjoy a visit to and/or offer volunteer hours at one of our amazing Tennessee State Parks. If you desire to make a donation in Tim’s memory, please direct your memorial to the Friends of Pinson Mounds for their 3D interactive map project (details at www.fopm.net).

A Memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025 at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Service of Remembrance to be held later in the Summer of 2025, at Pinson Mounds State Park.

Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, 1209 Madison St, Clarksville, TN 37040.