Mark Williams

Sunday, February 27, 2022

I attended a psychology class with Tom in 1974 at UALR. Through that, I became friends with Tom and Betty and made many trips out to their home in the country. I remember going there when they lived in the original log cabin before any other dwellings were built. I have not seen or spoken to Tom and Betty since the 70s when I moved away but I never forgot Tom and how much I enjoyed his company both in the classroom and at weekend get together‘s. Remembering someone almost 50 years later as an influential person on my life speaks volumes to what a unique person Tom was. For no particular reason I was thinking about Tom this morning and decided to Google him to see what he was up to and found this sad news. Maybe I can see and speak to Betty again someday. I would enjoy that.

Mike Godburn

Monday, October 11, 2021

It has been nearly five and a half years since I received word of Tom's passing.
I can finally speak of my good friend Tom Poling to others without tearing up.
He was a boon companion and I am a better man for knowing g him. He was a wonderful friend to my two sons, now young men, who enjoyed so much their trips to 'the ranch' as Tom often called his and Betty's home.
Betty, I am so sorry for your loss and hope you are well and happy.

Chelsea V

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

I am so sad to hear the news of Dr. Poling! He was my professor for several Psych classes from 2011-2013 at UALR including meditation techniques which changed my life! I looked up to him SO much (and I was just a 21 year old college girl at the time!) He was hands down my favorite professor. I really cannot put my finger on why I loved him so much, probably because he just exuded wisdom! I loved all his stories and everything he taught us in meditation techniques. I kept my textbook for that class. I googled him recently just to see what was up with him and saw his obituary. I’m so sad to hear this. I just wanted to share to his family and friends how much he inspired me and how he has continued to inspire me outside of college! Rest In Peace Dr Poling!

Rolf Groesbeck

Saturday, July 25, 2015

I'm so sorry to hear of Tommy's death. He was a great asset to UALR. He had a particular interest in music therapy and I referred several of my students (I teach music at UALR), who shared that interest, to him. He was always ready to work one-on-one with students who shared his interests and had the enthusiasm and energy of a much younger man. UALR has lost one of its shining lights. Betty, I wish you all the best and hope that you know how much your husband's memory is cherished.

Stan Albury

Friday, May 29, 2015

I was saddened to hear of Tom's passing. Over the past 50+ years I have often wondered what Tommy Poling had become. I remember him with his dry sense of humor in the dugout at baseball games. He & I were both pitchers for the Lawton High Wolverines. We both attended Cameron and OSU, but lost touch with him. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family.

Stan Albury

Friday, May 29, 2015

I grew up with Tom playing baseball for the Lawton public school systems. He and I were teammates (both of us pitchers) at Lawton High School where we helped the Lawton Wolverines to three state championships and a runner-up. Baseball was good for us. It taught us humility, competition, and getting along with our fellow competitors. I had not seen Tom or spoken to him since 1963. I guess you can say we lost touch. I am so sorry for his families' loss. May God bless his family in this time of sadness.

LISA KESSLER

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Dr. Poling was my favorite teacher. I believe the year he taught me was his first at UALR around 1974. He introduced himself by saying. I am Tom and I am an humanistic existentialist. We had "rap" sessions after class. No other teacher was like him. I majored in Psychology and later became a social worker. He was a person who helped shape who I am today and over the past 40 years I have frequently thought of him and his positive impact on others.

Kevin McCormick

Sunday, May 3, 2015

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. Professor has been a neighbor of my for the past 15 years. He will be greatly missed in our neighborhood. Feel free to contact me if the family needs anything.

Leonard Hardy

Sunday, May 3, 2015

My deepest sympathy goes out to Tom's wife Betty.
I met Tom in the early 80's. He was one of my psychology professors at UALR, my best one. He had a wonderfully refreshing sense of humor I've never quite seen in anyone else. We soon became good friends. Tom and I used to play together on several pool teams and we would often go camping, hiking and canoeing together. Those were some of the best times of my life.
Tom was always there to lend a hand when asked, or even without asking. He helped me build my shop, helped build a friend of mine's shop, who he didn't even know, helped clear trees out of my back yard and always helped when I had VW problems.
Tom was the most honest man I've ever known. Once, when we finished a float trip on the Big Piney, Tom accidently backed into someone's truck at the take out. The damage was, to me, unnoticeable yet Tom left them a note with his name and number on it so they could contact him. They did and, I think, claimed all the damage on the truck (quite a bit) was due to the accident.
Tom was the most intelligent, kind and funny friend I've ever had. I just can't believe he is gone. I miss him so, so bad.

Carolyn Speer

Friday, May 1, 2015

Sending positive thoughts to Dr. Poling's family during this difficult time. Dr. Poling was one of my favorite professors, whose classes I tried to take each semester, and turned to for graduate school advice. He and his many stories will be greatly missed.

Richard A. Tatum II

Friday, May 1, 2015

To the Polin family, I wish you comfort and peace at this time. Tommy was a professor of mine at UALR. But more than that he was a friend. He was one of the few professors I had who would shed his title and just be a person who was willing to talk to anyone who would listen. His kind heart will be missed, but remembered fondly!

Sharlene Brown

Friday, May 1, 2015

Dr. Poling was a huge inspiration to me. He was a brilliant teacher. It took me longer than normal to complete my undergraduate degree and he was a constant support. He was always friendly and had words of encouragement when I needed them. My undergraduate career would definitely have suffered without him. My path and future career has been greatly influenced by Dr. Poling. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prays are with his loved ones.

Ashley Worley

Friday, May 1, 2015

My deepest condolences to your family. Losing a loved one is never easy. As you continue in life keep the wonderful words found at Revelations 21:4 with you and hold dear the thought found in Isaiah 25:8. No, I can not bring your loved one back but I hope that the comfort in knowing that God not only wants to but will is encouraging in itself. - Acts 24:15. Again, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Ashley Worley

mark kelso

Friday, May 1, 2015

Sorry to hear about Tommy. We loved him. Janice and I are thinking of you.

Perrin Partee

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Dr. Poling was a true inspiration in my life. He sincerly cared for his students and had a level of awareness and wisdom that was contagious. A beautiful being indeed.

Kae Barron

Thursday, April 30, 2015

I'm so sad. Dr. Poling was my professor, but he was so much more than that to me. I took every class he taught during my years at UALR. He was a huge influence in my life and immensely helpful to me. I was an older student and he, more than anyone, made me feel right at home. He was so generous and easy to talk to. We had many great talks that I will never forget. What a wonderful and irreplaceable person. I'm very grateful that I knew him, and I will miss him so, so much. My deepest sympathy to his wife and family and all the many who loved him. I never met you, Betty, but in class last year he spoke of you as "the love of my life."

Roseanne (Price) Vining

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Dear Betty,
Very sorry for your great loss.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Roseanne

Mike Coleman

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

If ever there was someone who lived a life worth celebrating it is Tom. I treasure the memories of younger days of which Tom was such a big part of mine. He was one of my first friends when I moved to Lawton. I am proud to say he was a best friend from Jr High, Lawton High, Cameron and OSU. I still considered him a best bud despite not seeing him since graduation from OSU.

You could not be around Tommy very long before you knew he was one of the funniest and nicest guys. So many fun stories about him will be with me forever. "Lunch with Ho Ho".

Betty, my best to you and I will be thinking of you and Tommy.

Hank Tuell

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

So sad to hear of Tommy's passing. He was a great friend from Tomlinson and LHS. What a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor. Fortunately got to visit at the 50th LHS reunion. He will be missed

Bob Coleman

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

I feel so fortunate to have known Tommy from Lawton High School and OSU days. He was an intelligent, classy and funny guy. I've lost a dear friend.

Leroy Hicks

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Betty,
Was saddened when I learned of Tommy's passing.
Always had the utmost respect for the Poling family. Don and I remained friends long after high school and any time I was back in Lawton made a point to go by and say hello and enjoy a nice visit.
Please know that in your heart and memories Tommy lives on. Much respect and live.

Ron Frost

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

I am so sad to hear this. Tommy was not only a wonderful teammate at Lawton High School, but was a close and valued friend there and in college. He was so much fun to be around because of his dry wit, which kept us in stitches. Seeing him again at our 50 year high school reunion was definitely the highlight of the reunion for me. He will be missed.