Frederick R. Pole

Frederick Pole, "Fred"of Denton, Texas passed away on April 19, 2022 at the age of 89. He was born on November 16, 1932 to Alma Ray and Verdis White Pole in rural Childress County, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Barbara Jean Campbell, with whom he is now reunited, on February 15, 1951.

Left to cherish his memory are his son James Pole and his wife Kathryn of Denton; his daughter Deborah Griffith and her husband Jerry, of Spring, Texas; grandchildren Matt Pole of Denton, Sarah Shepherd and husband Daniel of Fort Worth; Rebecca Griffith of Houston, Kathryn Sayles and husband Cody of Hickory Creek, Texas, Jennifer Stark and wife Amy of Orlando, Florida; great-grandchildren Joseph Siedl of Houston, Haley and Aiden Sayles of Hickory Creek, and Darah and Dylan Shepherd of Fort Worth. He also is survived by sisters Raenell Ruzicka, Teresa Russell, Lenora Koontz, and Billye Stevens, nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends, including Don Brown. His parents, his wife, his sister Barbara, and son David preceded him in death.

As a teenager, Fred was drafted into the US Army and rose through the ranks to retire as Colonel after serving in the military for 27 years. He commanded operations in the US and overseas, including posts in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, served as Chief of the General Officers Branch at the US Pentagon, and as Adjutant General at the USMA at West Point. After retiring from the Army, he served as Vice President and Vice Chancellor of the University of North Texas for another 22 years.

Fred was a faithful member of Southmont Baptist Church and the Adult 3 Class. Among his civic activities, he served as past Chairman of the Denton Chamber of Commerce, Denton County United Way, the Board of Trustees of Denton Community Hospital, the advisory board of Denton YMCA, and was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 920.

The family will receive visitors from 6 – 8 PM on Monday, May 16 at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home, 705 N Locust St, Denton. A memorial service celebrating the lives of Fred and Barbara, who passed away on September 24, 2020, will be held at Southmont Baptist Church, 2801 Pennsylvania Drive, at 10 AM on Tuesday, May 17, followed by the placement of their remains at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.

We acknowledge the kind and compassionate care that both Fred and Barbara received at Eagle Ridge Alzheimer's Special Care Center and thank the exceptional caregivers, as well as Drs. Tim McGuire and McLean Sanborn.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund or the Missions Fund at Southmont Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.