87S21337 CW-D
By: Price H.R. No. 110
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an admired lawyer, rancher, and
philanthropist came to a close with the death of Joseph Harold Pool
of Amarillo on June 29, 2021, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Joe Pool was born in Dallas on May 6, 1934, to Harold
Oscar Pool and Elizabeth Sneed Pool Robinett; as a child, he moved
with his family to Amarillo, and he graduated from Amarillo High
School in 1952; he went on to study economics at Stanford
University, and after earning his law degree from The University of
Texas at Austin, he returned to Amarillo to begin his law practice
and to serve as trustee of the estate of his grandfather, Joseph
Tyre Sneed Jr., who began ranching in the Panhandle in 1906 and
served as president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Association in 1938; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to promoting the arts and education
across the Panhandle area, Mr. Pool gave generously to a host of
causes; he was integral to the development of Ascension Academy,
and many other organizations and institutions also benefited from
his involvement, including the Globe-News Center Performance Hall,
Amarillo Botanical Gardens, Amarillo College, Amarillo Little
Theatre, Amarillo Museum of Art, Amarillo Opera, Boy Scouts of
America Golden Spread Council, First Christian Church, Lone Star
Ballet, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, St. Hyacinth Church,
Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, and West Texas A&M University;
and
WHEREAS, A man of many interests, Mr. Pool held a deep
passion for history and artifacts; he loved to visit places of
historical significance, and one highlight of his travels was
planting a Texas flag at the North Pole; in addition, he was a
natural at roping cattle and especially enjoyed riding on horseback
throughout the Sneed Ranch in search of Native American relics and
cavalry memorabilia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pool and his first wife, Marilyn Myers, were
blessed with three children, Pam, Tory, and Marci; he later married
the former Arlene Veneras Gall, with whom he shared his life for
more than 35 years until her passing on June 4, 2019; through the
years, Mr. Pool had the pleasure of seeing his family grow to
include six grandchildren, Michelle, Lacey, Rey, Christina,
Tanner, and Stanton, and six great-grandchildren, Aiden, Brandon,
Lucio, Roman, Troy, and Maddox; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his dry wit, big heart, and humble
spirit, Joe Pool leaves behind a legacy that will long be treasured
by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Joseph Harold Pool and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of
his family: to his children, Pam Stevens and her husband, Scott,
Tory Freeman and her husband, John, and Marci Hand; to his
grandchildren, Michelle Ott, Lacey Cruz, Rey Jordan, Christina
Vallon, Tanner Pena, and Stanton Hand; to his great-grandchildren,
Aiden, Brandon, Lucio, Roman, Troy, and Maddox; and to his other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joseph
Harold Pool.