John Orlando Cole

John Orlando Cole, 87, former longtime Texhoma resident, passed away late Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at the V.A. Hospital in Oklahoma City.

John Cole was born October 8, 1925 at home in Tom Green County, Texas to Treatie Ociedell (Ross) and Elmer Lawrence Cole. John served in the United States Navy in World War II from January 1944 thru April 1946. He was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class.

After a short two month courtship, John married Claudia Mae Brown on December 6, 1947 at Robert Lee, Texas. The Coles lived in Friona, Texas, for nine years prior to moving to Texhoma in 1967. John continued farming in the Texhoma community. A longtime member of Texhoma First Baptist Church, John served as deacon for many years. In 2009, the Coles moved to Newcastle, OK to be closer to family.

Survivors include four daughters, Brownie and husband, Neil Floyd of Granbury, TX; Janetta and husband, Galen Shores of Newcastle; Shirley and husband, Roger Ham of Smyrna, SC; and Maura and husband, Stanley Gruver of Shalimar, FL; four sisters, Irene Monk of Texas City, TX; Imogene Vines of Midland, TX; Inez Caston of Farmington, NM; Olene Mason of Holister, MO; three brothers, Elmer Lawrence, Jr. of Bronte, TX: Tommy Cole of Snyder, TX; and Lanny Cole of Midland, TX. He was loved very much by his eight grandchildren, Craig Floyd, Tammy Shores Clubb, Toby Shores, Melanie Shores Williams, Jayson Cole, Myranda Cole Gurley, Ben Gruver and Michael Gruver; and seven great grandchildren, Allyson and Andrew Clubb, Trae, Morgan and Tyson Shores, Braden and Zachary Williams, and Karsyn Gurley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years, Claudia Mae, and his son, John, Cole, Jr.

Memorial services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, November 25, 2012, 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church, Texhoma, with pastor, Rev. Tommy Hull, officiating, and son-in-law, Rev. Roger Ham, assisting. Cremation and memorial services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.