James R. Cole

James Russell Cole, age 97, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at
home on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

He was born and raised in Hamilton County, Texas, to Bolding and Bertha Cole.

After graduating from Fairy High School, he served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 as an
Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class.

On April 24, 1948, he married “the prettiest girl he ever saw”, Mildred Livingston, and they
started an adventure that lasted 73 years.

He received a Meteorology Technician certificate from Del Mar College and worked for the
National Weather Service for 33 years. He loved studying and talking about the weather.

James was an amazing gardener that could make anything grow, and he was interested in
aviation and flew his own plane for many years. But, most of all he loved Jesus, his family and
his church. He will always be remembered for his funny stories and practical business sense.

James is preceded in death by his father and mother, Bolding and Bertha Cole, two brothers,
Bolding Jr. and Otis Wayne, two sisters Shirley Joyce Ratliff and Francine Cole.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Mildred, daughters Rhonda (John) Ward, Kathy
(Wayne) Enderle, son, James Edward (Julie Smith) Cole; grandchildren Melissa (Garlyn)
Stapleton, Laura (Mason) Dutton, Stacy (Brandon) Head, Brandon (Chelsea) Enderle, Matthew
(Rebecca) Enderle, and eleven great grandchildren; his sister Mary Nell Neal, brother-in-law,
Bobby Ratliff, sisters-in-law Marcie Cole and Linda Cole, three nieces and one nephew.

A public visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Monday, July 19, 2021. Services
will be private.

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