Richard Toole

Richard George Toole, 70, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on September 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from North Georgia College, where he co-founded the Sigma Omega fraternity and was commissioned into the U.S. Army. He proudly served 8 years as an Army Officer and Blackhawk helicopter pilot before returning home to manage the family business, Captain’s Roost Seafood Restaurant in East Point, GA. After eight years in the restaurant business, Rick began a long and fulfilling career at Delta Airlines as an analyst. He retired after 26 years of service and built his dream home with his wife, Arlene, on Lake Lanier. Rick was a proud husband, father, grandfather and veteran. He loved to volunteer and serve his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club for over 30 years and the American Legion. He lived a life full of joy, laughter, and a deep sense of gratitude for all his blessings. Rick is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Arlene Humber Toole; Children, Shawn Toole (Nicole), Justin Toole (Katy), Kimberly Goforth (Jeff); and two others he considered his children, Chang Wu (Amy) and Ivo Tamm (Joyce); brother Lamar Toole (Mary); and sister, Miriam Davis (Mike Elder); grandchildren, Caroline (aka Peanut), Mya (aka Peaches), Aspen (aka Tulip), Emory (aka E-Z Rider), Ben (aka Gunner), Jack (aka JG), and Gracie (aka Pumpkin). He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Joyce Trethewey Toole and brother, John Toole. He gave nicknames to those he loved and earned a few of his own along the way. He was called Ricky during his school days, Captain while serving his country, “The Toole Man” by his colleagues at Delta, DOD (Dear Ol’ Dad) by his children and Papa T by his grandkids. Rick didn’t hold back when it came to loving those who meant the most, especially his family and his “smok’n hot wife” Arlene. They were high school sweethearts and shared a fairy tale love story that lasted 55 years. Rick showed more kindness, patience, generosity, and love than seemed possible. We will miss his ability to make everyone he met feel like they mattered. He was never in a rush, but he was dependable and always the person you could count on to show up. He maintained his sense of humor until the very end - the world is a little quieter without his infectious laugh, but heaven just got a whole lot louder. He often said, “You’re going to miss me when I’m gone” and he couldn’t have been more right.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM in the Chapel at Ingrams Funeral Home in Cumming, GA. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to either USO (www.t2t.org), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.CF.org) or Freedom Waters (www.freedomwatersfoundation.org).