David Rawlings Poole

David Rawlings Poole succumbed to cancer on October 20th 2021 around 4:30AM, just shortly after his 76th birthday. He lived a full and blessed life and left the world a better place. David approached his death with the same grace and courage that he showed throughout his life.

David was born on September 23, 1945, in Washington D.C. He was the second of two children to his parents, Rawlings Stine Poole and Frances Ann (Childers) Poole.

David had a heart for service. He first expressed this desire to serve in the Catholic Church, and later as a psychologist. After graduating from Gonzaga College High School in Washington DC in 1963, he attended Maryknoll Catholic Seminary in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He continued his education at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. before graduating from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1967.

David worked as a social worker at the Patuxent Institute in Jessup, Maryland while attending Johns Hopkins University and graduating in 1969 with a master’s degree in Guidance Counseling. After a brief time in the Army, David moved to Austin, TX where he completed his PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin in 1972. David’s career, which he devoted to service of people and families of Central Texas, spanned 40 years, before his retirement in 2012.

David met his wife, Donna Faye (McDaniel) Poole in 1975 through mutual friends. They were married in Austin on March 6, 1976. Together, they lived a life of devotion and love, raising their two children, John and Katherine. Following their retirement, they travelled extensively to such places as Turkey, Malaysia, Australia, Italy, England, and Greece.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Donna (McDaniel) Poole of Austin, TX; his aunts Dorothy (Childers) Cline of Albuquerque, NM, and Louise (Childers) Rahll of Dalhart, TX; his sister, Penne Poole of Washington DC; his son, John Poole, and daughter-in-law Courtney (Wallin) Poole and grandchildren, David Poole II, Henry Poole, and Tara Poole, of Cedar Park, TX; his daughter, Katherine (Poole) Casey, and son-in-law, Jason Casey and grandchildren Kelsey Poole, and Levi Casey, of Pflugerville, TX. In addition, he leaves behind numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

David was a loving friend and father who was ever supportive to his loved ones in the tough times and a joy when celebrating the good times. Many have described him as a rock, a man of support and devotion on whom they could always rely. His humor, good cheer and counsel will be missed by all who knew him.

When reflecting on his life in his last days, David expressed that he had no regrets and had lived a long and fulfilling life and considered himself the luckiest man in the world for having lived it.

The memorial at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home will take place on November 6th 2021 at 10AM. He will be interred at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the SAFE Alliance Austin.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Poole family.