My Grandpa Poll...

David Vance Poll

June 14, 1935 - March 3, 2014

David Vance Poll passed away March 3, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born June 14, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah the son of Harry Nicholson and Maurine Vance Poll. He is preceded in death by both of his parents.

David was raised in the Sugarhouse and then East Millcreek area. He was the oldest of 10 children. He attended and then graduated from South High School and for the balance of his life he spoke fondly of the school and the friends he made there.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the Gospel. He loved talking about Gospel principles and listening to the leaders speak, as well as Gospel music. He was called to a service mission, working in the Bishop’s Storehouse. He loved this calling and found great joy in serving there.

He loved music. As a youth he played the violin beautifully, and he could plunk out some hymns on a piano or organ. He especially loved grand pipe organs and listening to their beautiful sounds. He enjoyed attending/listening to recitals on theater organs and spent time at the Organ Loft in Salt Lake City. On at least one occasion he traveled with his good friend, Ron McDonald, out of state to be able to hear a recital on a theater organ.

At one time he worked with his brother, Ron, building and working on pipe organs. This was one of his most favorite times of his life. He had a very close relationship with his brother, Ron, who preceded him in death 7 years ago. This was especially hard on him – to lose his friend and brother and he missed him terribly.

David worked all of his life – he could be called a workaholic, as he worked long, long hours. He worked for his father for some time in the sound and hi-fi business. After that he was largely self-employed and ended up focusing on business intercom and telephone systems. He would install and repair them. He loved helping his clients by providing them with high quality products and service, and felt a fierce loyalty to them. He was particularly sad when his health prevented him from working – he felt he had let his clients down.

He married Jane Kimball on June 1, 1956, and later divorced. He married Cindy Faulkner in the Salt Lake Temple on May 16, 1969, and was later divorced. David held his children very dear to his heart. Although he was not successful in his marriages, he felt blessed to have 11 children as a result, and loved them all dearly. He spoke of them all the time. He worried about them. He wished he could be with them. His face would light up any time he heard from one of them or heard about experiences of one of them.

Ten of his children survive him: Cyndy (David) Hendrickson, Scott (Penny) Poll, Jake Poll, Marcelle Smith, James (Blythe) Poll, Sterling (Brook) Poll, Natalie (David) Gray, Aaron Poll, Angela Staples, Juliane (Jeremy) Abbott; 31 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by 1 child, David Jonathan.

He is also survived by 2 brothers: Stephen (Judi) Poll and Robert (Christiane) Poll; 5 sisters: Judith (Kent) Hutchings, Nancy (Val) Swenson, Carole Hoyt, Rosemary (Steve) Hawkes, and Margie (Mel) Hawkes; and dozens of nieces and nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by 2 brothers: Ronald (Mary) Poll, and Richard Poll.

David is remembered for being very intelligent with strong opinions. He is also remembered as having a sly sense of humor. He prided himself as being able to cook and clean for himself and he loved a clean and organized home and good food. As his health failed he was taken care of by kind and loving doctors, nurses, and aids. He expressed how he knew they cared for him and he for them. The family thanks all those who helped him and kept him as comfortable as possible, especially the staff at Canyon Rim Care Center, as well as the hospice team.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Friday March 7, 2014 at the East Millcreek 11th Ward Building, 2702 E. Evergreen Avenue (3435 South) in Salt Lake City. Interment and graveside to follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.