O. Cole

O. D. Cole Jr., 83, passed away January 11, 2015 in a Mineral Wells hospital. He was born April 1, 1931 in Fort Worth the son of Orbin Dewey Sr. and Margaret Edna Creecy Cole. He graduated from Amon Carter High School in 1950. The next 4 years he served in the US Navy on 2 cruisers operating in Korea. After serving he started to TCU and graduated in 1958. While going to TCU he worked for Gordon Boswell Florist. Prior to that he worked for 2 years at Ft. Worth Floral, a wholesale florist, while in high school. He managed Balch's Flowers in the late part of 1958. In September of 1959 he moved to Mineral Wells and established Coles House of Flowers. After 45 years he sold the business to Dwaine Eaton. During his business career he served on the board, 3 VP, 2nd VP, and 1st VP of West Texas New Mexico Floral Association. He served on many committees for Texas State Florist Association. He was a life member of the Ft. Worth Florist Association, and cooked their September Fish Fry for 35 years. After passing all the exams he became a Texas Master Florist. In 1986 he was 1 of 12 in the US elected to The Society of American Florist and the only one from Texas. He was an over 50 year member of the Mineral Wells Noon Lions Club. He served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, as Captain of the Palo Pinto County Sherriff's Posse, Commander of the American Legion, President of the Palo Pinto Shrine Club, President of the Brazos Valley Scottish Rite Club, Life Member of Moslah Temple Directors, member of Mineral Wells Masonic Lodge, Moslah Temple Weatherford Shrine Club, and Royal Order of Jesters. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for 20 years. He served as President of the Chancel Choir and the Path Finders Sunday School Class. He served on the Administrative Board, Organ Remodeling Committee, and Church Remodeling Committee. His church family meant everything to him. Services will be 2 PM Friday, January 16, 2015 at First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. He is survived by the love of his life Opal, son: Paul Cole and wife Aloise of Waco, daughter: Pam, sister: Betty Broadie of North Richland Hills, and dear friend Barbara Grapes, grandchildren: Joseph, Allison, and Heather, and great-grandchild: Cole. His loving spirit and giving heart cannot be replaced.