Robert Cole

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Robert Dean Cole of Commerce, OK passed from this life Monday, September 25, 2023 at his home. He was 91.

Robert was born October 7, 1931 in Lowell, KS to Leonard and Della (Epperson) Cole. He had lived in Commerce since 1980 and graduated from Commerce High School Class of 1950. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years. 

After retirement from the Air Force he worked at N.E.O. College in Miami, OK in the maintenance department. Robert was a member of Cardin Baptist Church and V.F.W. Post 147 in Miami.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Elsie Joann Cole on April 12, 2020, 1 son Robert Dean Cole, Jr., 1 stepson Danny Joe Garrison, his parents, 1 brother, Wayne Cole and 2 sisters, Beatrice Foley and Louise Norman.

Survivors include 2 sons, James Dean Cole and wife Joshlyn of Los Angeles, CA and Terry Lee Cole and wife Lori of The Colony, TX, 1 daughter, Malana Cole of Fort Worth, TX, 2 step- sons, Bill Garrison, Jr. and wife Jerri of Quapaw, OK and Paul Garrison and wife Pam of Oklahoma City, OK, 2 step – daughters, Joann Castle and husband Marty of Miami, OK and Rebecca Baldwin of Commerce, OK, 9 grandchildren, Melissa Patton and husband David of Miami, OK, Michell Trent of Moore, OK, Joshua Garrison of Quapaw, OK, Jason Garrison of Quapaw, OK, Samantha Baldwin of Commerce, OK, Jessica Cole of The Colony, TX, Amanda Cole of The Colony, TX, Stacey Larocque and husband Landon of Melissa, TX and Maggie Cole of Fort Worth, TX and 7 great grandchildren, Leiana, Layla, Brenna, Layden, Dylan, Piper and Devyn and 1 nephew David Norman and wife Jamie of Joplin, MO.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Baxter Springs Cemetery in Baxter Springs, KS. Rev. John McEuen will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Mike McCoy, Ed Stillwell, Buddy Kerley, Dick Karnes, Ben Karnes and Dale Heatherly will serve as pallbearers. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami, OK. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.