Larry Thomas Poe

Larry Thomas "Tom" Poe, age 76, of Sophia, WV went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 10, 2024, following a short illness.

Tom was born November 22, 1947, in Sophia to the late Millard "Mid" and Mary Poe. Tom was a 1965 graduate of Sophia High School, and graduated from Morris Harvey College with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 1969.  He received his Masters Degree from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies.

Tom taught in the Raleigh County School System for 32 years, with the last 26 years at Independence High School. While at Independence High School, he coached football, volleyball, cross country and golf and served as the Athletic Director.

In 1988, he started the Girl's Softball Program, and after the first year the girls produced 23 straight winning seasons. After a total of 600 varsity games, Coach Poe always said, "the girls won 437 games and he lost 163." Under Coach Poe, the Patriots Softball Program produced 28 first team AA all state players, with 32 college scholarship offers. During this time, his girls were  the AA state runner-ups four times, and sectional champions 9 times. Coach Poe was selected the 2009 West Virginia Coach Of The Year, 2010   National Fast Pitch Association Victory Club  400, and Coalfield Conference Of The Year 6 times. He was inducted into the West Virginia Retired Coaches Hall of Fame in 2013, and the West Virginia All Sports Inductee in 2019.

Tom is survived by a brother, Terry and wife Debbie of Crab Orchard; two nephews Douglas and wife Kayanna of Gallipolis,  Ohio, and David and wife Skylar of Shady Spring; A very special cousin (brother) Ronald and wife Linda Green of Lewisburg; a self adopted daughter Nikki Hughart; long time friends Doug Lovell and Wayne Peters; extended family, friends, and his daughters, (IHS girl softball players).

Tom's Celebration of Life will be held at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, WV on Thursday, November 14, 2024 with visitation from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, with service beginning at 4 PM. Pastor Everett Meadows of Grace Community Church (where Tom attended) officiating.  Burial will be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. Pallbearers will be John Fanary, Steve Hughart, Douglas Poe, David  Poe, Eric Stone, Degan Williams, and Rick Williams. Special thanks go to the Raleigh General Hospital 2 North SICU and Bowers Hospice House for their great care. Any donations of sympathy should be made to the Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV. 25801.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook. Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home,1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.