He was born in Akron, Ohio, the son of the late Harry Pooley and Marjorie Mong Pooley.
He was a graduate of Heidelberg University in Ohio.
He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
Tom was a retired shipping supervisor for Patch Rubber Company with 36 years service. He was an avid fisherman and a member of Elam Baptist Church in Gumberry, NC.
Surviving are his wife, Wanda P. Pooley of the home; two daughters, Wendy Howell and her husband, Daniel of Roanoke Rapids, Ashley Shelburne and her husband, Jayme, of Littleton, NC; seven grandchildren, Jordan and Ella Howell, Koby and Zoe Jones, Jase Shelburne, Leah and Bryson Pooley.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 7, 2014, at Elam Baptist Church in Gumberry, NC, with the Reverend Randy Martin officiating.
Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements, where the family will receive friends this evening, November 6, 2014, from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Online condolences may be made at Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan.