Alan John “Skip or Al” Poling

Alan John “Skip or Al” Poling, 71, passed away on July 24, 2025, at his home in Houston, Texas. He was born on March 20, 1954, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, a son of John Abraham Poling and Mildred Marie Hinterer Poling. He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Stewart who he married on July 14, 1979.

Al graduated from Marietta High School with the class of 1972. He attended Fairmont State College earning degrees in engineering and industrial education. He taught industrial arts classes at FSC for a year before getting his engineering degree. Continuing his education at West Virginia University he earned a Master of Arts in technology education, specializing in production. In 2024 he became a Commissioned Lay Pastor through ECO Flourish/ Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

Al began his career as a vocational education teacher at Wahama High School in Mason, WV. He then moved on to work as an engineer in many western states and overseas for several companies as a consultant. He later formed his own consulting company, RAM Analytics, LLC.

He played a lot of golf but often got teased because he was one of the few family members who never made a hole in one. He liked hunting out west and on the family farm in West Virginia. Playing Setback, a card game passed down through generations, hiking, reading, and studying the Bible were a few things he enjoyed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a stillborn son.

He is survived by his sister and her family, Barbara (Lee) Peterson, Jennifer (Scott) Brodie, Alexis Brodie, Michael Brodie, Matthew Meglio, Grant Meglio, and Elijah Meglio, and by his brother David (Alice) Poling. He is also survived by Kimberly Lambert, 3 aunts, cousins, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on August 23, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, Kingwood, TX. A Celebration of Life will be held at the family farm at a later date.