Bob Cole

(From Meadors Funeral Home)

Bob D. Cole, beloved husband, father, and grandfather went home to be with the Lord Jesus on September 03, 2022, at the age of 82. Bob was born in 1940 in Forsyth, MO to parents Frank C. Cole and Dora Ethel (Wolf) Cole.

Bob graduated from Forsyth High School in 1958 and from Southwest Missouri State (SMS) with a degree in education in 1964. During his teenage and college years he worked as a groundskeeper for Taneycomo golf club and as a grocery store stocker and delivery while in college. 

He began his career with MO Division of Family Services as a caseworker in Greene County in 1964; as a County Director in Lawrence Co., (Aurora) from 1965-1969; then as a District Supervisor in Clinton, 1969 – 1980; and then onto Regional Operations Specialist 1980-1985 (Program District Administrator in Clinton until he retired in 2000). 

In addition, he served 33 years in the MO National Guard, where he made lifelong friends and mentored younger soldiers as a decorated 1st Sgt. Bob loved serving and representing his state and country in The Guard. 

After retirement, Bob remained active in the retiree guard issues, serving as President of The Patriots, a southwest Missouri retiree group and in Jefferson City as a member of Missouri National Guard Retiree Council. 

Bob loved his family deeply; he treasured watching his children and grandchildren grow and develop and was a devoted husband to Pat. He grew up helping his father farm and roaming the hills of Forsyth. Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper, and golfer. Mowing the lawn and gardening occupied each day during the spring and summer months. He loved playing cards with his brothers and joined them in telling elaborate stories. 

Bob loved country music and danced a great 2-step, and he was known to surprise Pat in the morning by singing and dancing the 2-step in the kitchen. He loved talking to people, telling stories and laughing. Bob’s infectious personality and smile will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers; Otis, Alvin (A.F) and Ocie (“Short”).

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Pat of Clever, MO; son Darren Cole and wife Katy of Wentworth, MO; daughter Shanna Cole of Shawnee, KS; grandsons Andrew Cole and wife Brayden and Dylan Cole of Kansas City, his four legged fur baby, Sunny, two nephews Daniel Cole and wife Rhonda of St. Louis and Gary Cole and wife Cookie of Springfield, MO. Bob also leaves behind a large family on his wife’s side, who welcomed him into the family and called him “Big Bob”.

A Visitation is scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2022, from 5 – 7 PM at Meadors Funeral Home in Republic. A brief graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. with full military honors, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate or by leaving a donation at the funeral home). Online condolences may be made at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com