Richard E. Toole

Richard Eugene Toole was born in Augusta Georgia on December 30, 1930 and passed from this life on June 26, 2024. His was a life well lived, and as a modest man there were many who did not know what an extraordinary life he had. Growing up in South Florida, his first job was as a cowboy, catching wild cattle on the outskirts of the Everglades. After his family moved to Central Florida he attended Stetson University where he was pre-med, a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and a ROTC scholarship student. After graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army. Jump school followed and as a first lieutenant he commanded the headquarters company of the 1/504 PIR of the 82d Airborne Division. Following a parachute accident in which he broke his back (he kept that used reserve D Ring for the rest of his life) he married the love of his life, Betty George Williams. After leaving the military, together they moved to Central Florida where he began work in the citrus industry and started a family. Having tireless energy and endless strength he pioneered many innovations in the citrus industry and served on numerous public and private boards, but always had time to go hunting or fishing when he had the opportunity. He was a master with both a fly rod and a shotgun, but his true love was his family and his work. Later in life, he and his wife moved to Thomasville, Georgia where he loved spending time with family and friends, with his dog, and at his beloved hunting camp. He is survived by his wife Betty George Williams Toole, his daughter Teresa Lynn Toole, his son Dana George Toole and daughter in law Lesley Erin Toole, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren and will be missed by everyone who knew him. In lieu of flowers the family requests that any donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for children.