Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole, 90, a U.S. Army veteran, joined his beloved Tibbie in their heavenly home on the morning of May 16, 2022. Ken is survived by his sons, Ken M. Cole and his wife, Dolores J. Cole, Larry E. Cole and his wife, Mary R. Cole, his grandchildren, Kenneth R. Cole, Dustin R. Cole, Michael P. Cole, Kyle R. Cole and wife, Patrice D. Griffin-Cole, and Amber “Ellee” E. Cole, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth “Tibbie” A. Cole. Ken was born on May 8, 1932 in Norman, Oklahoma and had just celebrated his 90th birthday. His family traveled from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl while he was still young. He graduated from high school in El Cajon, CA and worked as an iceman, hauling and delivering 300 lb. blocks of ice, along with several other small jobs. He relocated to Oklahoma City and worked at a local skating rink where he met and married the love of his life, Tibbie Tuttle. He moved to Norfolk, VA and later to Midwest City, OK. Early in his marriage, he served in the U.S. Army, training in artillery, and earned the rank of Corporal. After serving in the U.S. Army, Ken worked for Price Brothers, International Harvester/Case and Servis/Rhino, which included moves to Clovis, CA and DeSoto, TX. Ken later moved to the lake house at Cedar Creek Lake in Mabank, Texas where he eventually retired. Ken spent 37 years of his career selling farm implements for Servis/Rhino, a job which he loved, and received many sales awards. He had a real passion for sales and enjoyed the many friendships he built over the years with his dealers, who became like family to him. Ken had a strong faith in God, served in various positions of church leadership and enjoyed singing in his church and Avanti choirs. He was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW, and he was a loyal volunteer for the East Texas Food Bank and Meals on Wheels. He was instrumental in the planning and the labor to connect the city sewer system to Cedar Branch Park at the lake. One of his favorite hobbies was researching the Cole and Tuttle families genealogy. He was a self-taught carpenter and electrician and could build or fix just about anything. He was always working on a remodel/home project and basically built, with the help of family and friends, the lake house he and Tibbie enjoyed during their retirement years. Ken was a wonderful storyteller. His family would sit mesmerized as he told the interesting experiences of his trip from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl, his escapades while living in El Cajon and how he purchased his first car. His family will miss those stories and his unique ability to take them back to that moment in time. Ken was a huge OU Sooners fan in every sport, but especially the football and girls softball teams. He spent many weekends with family and friends enjoying those games, and his family will miss his “tee hee” texts whenever OU scored a goal. Above all, Ken loved his family, and his family loved him. Family was his first priority always. He was the perfect role model of a great and honored father and grandfather. He was wise, and his family frequently sought his advice on life decisions, projects and many other things. During his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family at the lake with trips on the boat, holiday celebrations, 4th of July fireworks, and simply visiting while sitting on the porch. He also enjoyed spending time at the American Legion and VFW dinners and events, traveling to visit distant family, reading, and one of his great loves, fishing. Ken was soft-hearted, generous and kind. He was always available to lend a hand to help a neighbor, friend or family member with any project or need. He was endearing to all who met him, and his family and friends will miss his humble, selfless spirit and his wonderful smile. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the East Texas Food Bank, Meals on Wheels or a charity of your choice. East Texas Food Bank: https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org Meals on Wheels: https://mowmet.networkforgood.com John 14:1-3 -- Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. The family will receive friends in the Chapel of West/Hurtt Funeral Home on Wednesday - June 01, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at which time the Funeral Service will begin. Interment will follow in the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX.