Kenneth Lewis Poole, Sr.

Kenneth Lewis Poole Sr., 90, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away on June 6, 2023, after a fierce battle with colon cancer. He was the only child born to Leon William Poole and Lillian Louise Poole (Lewis), later Lillian Hendrix.

Ken was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Sumner High School where he met and married his late wife of 63 years, Thelma Jean (Weems) Poole.

If you have ever met Ken, you know he was a jazz enthusiast, he loved to tell jokes, and was a competitive domino player. He also enjoyed fishing, photography and he traveled the world extensively throughout Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii.

His 6’6” stature was striking and his love of people meant he never met a stranger, and often had to be pulled out of the store during one of his long conversations. 

Known as a trailblazer, he became the first black Deputy Chief and the first black Acting Chief of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department. He served the community for 36 years from 1954-1990. In 1978 he was one of the founding members of the Kansas City, Kansas chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters.  

He was also a Shriner, a consistory member, and a master of his masonic lodge, Olive Branch #74, and a life long member of First Baptist Church.

He is survived by his children: Patricia Dewberry, Kenneth L. Poole Jr., Edward C. Poole, (Mi-Ling); grandchildren: Leonard Dewberry, Tiffany Eitzmann (Ryan), Edward C. Poole II (Lili), Kenneth L. Poole III,  Joseph R. Poole; four great grandchildren, Madison Culbreth, Oliver R. Eitzmann, Oliver L. Mehl, Edward C. Poole III; brother Tommy Hendricks; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends including longtime childhood friend, Otis Barron.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Lillian Poole (Hendricks), wife Thelma Jean Poole (Weems), brother Bert Hendricks, daughter-in-law Loretta (Villa) Poole, and granddaughter Crystal Dewberry.

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