Russell Lee Poole

Russell Lee Poole (54) April 18, 1967 - April 4, 2022. Born in Jerome, Idaho to Della Faye and William (Bill) Poole. A resident of Rupert Idaho. Preceded in death by his parents Della and Bill Poole. Grandma Anna Parsons. Survived by wife, Carol Smith. Children Shaelee Poole, Qwintin Poole, Zac Kane and his wife Kristin Kane and grandsons Enzo Kane and Dutch Kane, Shad Smith and grandchildren Kemper Smith, Saylor Smith, Shooter Smith, Taylynn Smith, Deanna Brady and grandchildren Austin Brady, Rashell Brady and great grandchildren Azeara, Zalan, and Zerik. Brother, Scott Poole and his wife Kara Poole and niece Ashley Poole of Carmichael, California. Brother, Greg Poole, and nephews “The Cowboys” Ryan Poole, Cory Poole, and his wife Tyla Poole and great-nephew Gannon Poole, Blake Poole and Brogan Poole of Rupert Idaho. Mother-in-Law, Lana Gladfelder of Burley, Idaho.

Russ was a 1985 graduate of Burley High School and a star member of the Burley Bobcats Football team, where he earned a scholarship offer to play football at the University of Montana-Western in Dillon, Montana. Russ decided to forgo college to enter the workforce. After graduating Russ worked at Gordon Paving and then spent 27 years in the same office through 3 different companies; Ore-Ida trucking, Jack B Parsons, and AgExpress Inc.

Russ grew up in the mini-cassia area of southern Idaho with his two younger brothers.  When Russ was young he and his brothers spent time with their dad hunting, fishing and camping. Russ had a tough exterior but was a softie at heart. He played many pranks on his cousins and friends and was always in for a good laugh. If you knew Russ you knew that laugh and that rosy cheeked smile. Russ never strayed from lending a hand, often helping family, friends, and even strangers with any chore imaginable. Russ never went anywhere without a hat. He never quit a project before it was finished, and his attention to detail was second to none.

Russ enjoyed spending time with family whether it was on the Snake River or taking a trip to explore new places. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, camping, and raising hell with the river crew. He loved to maintain a beautiful yard often calling on the neighbor kids to ride along on the mower. Russ loved to joke and always had something funny to say. He would often pick a fight with the grandkids jokingly telling them to not let 10 seconds of bravery ruin the rest of their lives. He often quipped that the Bobcats were better than the Spartans even though his kids would prove him wrong.

Nothing was more important to Russ than pouring cereal for Shaelee, holding Zac’s hand in a construction project, letting Qwintin win a fishing contest, spoiling the grandkids, or making sure Carol never touched a dust rag.

Russ made the world a better place and affected the lives of too many people to count. We were all blessed to have called him our friend, brother, father, and grandpa. 

An open-house Gathering for friends and family will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2022 at the Rupert West Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 26 South 100 West Rupert, Idaho. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022 also at the church.  Services will conclude with burial in the Rupert Cemetery under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

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