Duane Albert Poole

Duane Albert Poole went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2012. He was born in Nichols, Iowa, on July 24, 1927. As a child, he was an avid reader and taught himself Morse Code. He built his own ham radio when he was a teenager, and he talked to countries all over the world. Duane proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, and was allowed to choose his own specialty in the Navy because of his 100% accuracy on military tests. Duane chose to receive specialized training in communications. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 with special commendation for excellent performance of duty, and he received a letter of gratitude for his military service from President Harry S. Truman. Duane studied electrical engineering at Port Arthur College. He married Hattie Carolyn Fojtik and moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he was hired as a broadcast engineer at KMAC. While working as a broadcast engineer, Duane started working part-time on two-way radio systems.

In 1956, Duane started a communications company, Industrial Communications, in a rented building on a site that later became HemisFair Arena. He moved the company in 1964 to a new building that he purchased on North Saint Mary’s Street. The company has grown through several expansions including an expansion to Corpus Christi.

Duane’s life truly embodies the classic American success story. Over a period spanning more than fifty (50) years, Duane built a small radio shop into a nationally recognized industry leader. From a handful of customers in his early days, Duane’s honesty and integrity, hard work and dedication to his core values and principles allowed Industrial Communications to thrive and expand, serving the communications needs of thousands of private individuals, small and large businesses and local, state and federal government agencies. Duane’s word was his bond and his handshake was his promise. He was a man of few words, which made the words he spoke all that much more important. He was admired and respected as much for his expertise in his chosen field as for his business acumen and strong moral compass.

Duane had a sense of humor and a love of life and family. He inherited from his father an amazing talent to build things, and he was an all around handyman. He had a profound curiosity. Duane and Hattie raised four children. Duane taught his children life lessons primarily by example, showing each of them that a strong work ethic, fair treatment of others and a respect for all living things were essential ingredients for a well-lived life.

Duane was a very kind and gentle soul. He had a loving and generous heart. He always wanted to make sure people were cared for. Duane was very fond of his puppy dog Muffin, country music, the outdoors, golf, Whataburgers, the Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Duane is survived by his wife, Hattie; daughter, Laura Poole; sons Gary Poole and wife Liberty of Austin, Jeffrey Poole of San Antonio, Ricky Poole and wife Irene of San Antonio; and four grandchildren, Ariana Poole, Gabriela Poole, Matthew Poole, and Madison Poole. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Faye, and three brothers, Don, Harold, and Dale.

Pallbearers will be Gary Poole, Jeffrey Poole, Ricky Poole, Roger Fuentes, Michael Fojtik, Audie Hutson, Louis John Fojtik, and Joe Novak.

Visitation will be 6 p.m., Thursday, September 20, 2012 with a Rosary to be recited at 7pm at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 21, 2012 at the Shrine of St. Padre Pio Catholic Church, 3843 Bulverde Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78254. Monsignor Patrick Ragsdale will be officiating and will be joined by Bishop John Yanta.

Burial will follow at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, in San Antonio. Reception following burial will be at the Shrine of Saint Padre Pio Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, 20770 Hwy. 281 North, Suite 108, San Antonio, Texas, 78258.