Clayton Gallison Cole Jr.'s Obituary
Finally at peace with his Savior Jesus Christ, Clay Gallison Cole, Jr. passed quietly at the age of 83 on January 28, 2022. Dad was the solid presence in two large families, able to share his faith with generations. Too often a brillian mind is stolen from us before the body passes; the angry shadow of dementia clouding memory and cognition. We celebrate a life well lived; enjoying the company of others, competition on the golf course, quiet conversations and of life its self lived to the fullest. We honor the dad and the husband he was and remember the man imperfect but with abundant love to give. His many hours of toil for his family and our national security now seem a blur in the distance. We thank you dad, for your convictions; spoken and unspoken which still guide our lives. Our own eternal questions he now knows; secure in the arms of the Father, no longer in the pain of this world.
Dad grew up in Pleasant Grove, a suburb of Dallas, graduating High School and attending University of Arlington and gaining an engineering degree. He later received an MBA from Amber University. He married his high school sweet heart Barbara and began working as an engineer with LTV, was privileged to work with NASA in Alabama with Mercury and Gemini prgrams. They had a saughter Sherri in 1962 and sons Barry in 1964 and Craig in 1975. He later returned to LTV/E-Systems. He moved from engeneer to management with a 38-year career with what was essentially the same defense contractor. Dad married Judy while in Greenville TX adding to the family Jana and Michele; They settled not far from E-Systems and Oak Creek Country Club.
Dad's faith in Christ is assured. He was happy to share it with anyone he encountered. He was a man of action and joy which he drived from the basis of his faith. He serviced several roles in the local Baptist church including deacon.
Obviously a man of great intellect, he never made himself out to be anything other than a humble man. His love for family and others was in the "doing". His love language was of action, not words. Hoever when you got him going , it often just spilled out, an overflow of passionate soul. Dad could just as often be found in a contemplative mood, enjoying his pipe while commenting on the state of the world and what the Dallas Cowboys needed to improve!
Clayton is surviced by his wife Judy Cole of Greenville Texas, Son Barry Scott Cole of Mansfield, Texas, Daughter Sherri Lynn Cole-Mitchell of Big Sandy, Texas, Sepdaughters; Jana Bird of Quinlan, Texas and Michele Verma of Frisco, Texas, Grandchildren; Jennifer Cook, Amber Cook, Ashley Cook, Alexander Scott Cole, Cameron Cole, and Megan Cole, Step-Grandchildren; Heather Nicole Fogerty, Holly Meno, Nathan Verma and Priya VEram, Great Grandchildren Jacob Luna, Sydney Campbell, Carlie Cook, Delane Cook, Braedon Cook, J. D. Fogarty, Elijah Fogarty, Shae Fogarty, Sylar Meno, and Aspen Meno.
Clayton is preceded in death by parents; Clayton Gallisoin Cole, Sr. and Dorothy Rae Cole, sister; Cynthia Cole Monk, son; Craig Clayton Cole and great grandson Landon Cook.
His energy and vitality amoung family and friends will be greatly missed.
Graveside service May 13, 2022 @ Restland Cemetery. Please contact the funeral home there for full obituary and further information. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Diabetes Association.
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