Ronald L. Cole, 78, passed away Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 at Freeman Hospital. Ron was born Jan. 21, 1941 in Carthage to John Everett and Myrtle Rose “Curry” Cole. He was a lifetime resident of Carthage and served in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. Ron worked for Nabisco Flour Mill for over 20 years, after which he started his own lawn care business. He currently attended Fairview Christian Church and was a member of the Carthage Mason Lodge #197 AF & AM and the Carthage Shrine Train Crew. He was also actively involved in transporting children to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Ron was united in marriage to Sandra “Wheeler” in 1964 in Carthage. They were married for 55 years; she survives.
Ron is also survived by two sons, Bryan Scott Cole (Sandra) and Bradley Wayne Cole, both of Carthage; two daughters, Kimberly Ann Cole of Joplin and Melissa Kay McClure (Mike) of Kansas City, MO; one brother, Robert “Chuck” Cole (Leann) of Carthage; three sisters, Connie S. Jones (Sam) of Carthage, Mary Anna Babcock of Carthage and Alice Marie Kost of Joplin; eight grandchildren, Ashley, Courtney (Luke), Ryan (Kelcie), Hayden, Tyler, Kylie (Mickey), Lilia (Mark) and Nancy; eight great-grandchildren, Avery, Brodie, Brayden, Elijah, Sophia, Gabriel, Giovanni and Giuliana.
Ron was preceded in death by three brothers, John William Cole, Lawrence “Larry” Cole and Richard A. Cole; one sister, Sherry Burlingame.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 at Ulmer Funeral Home, with Masonic Rites to be given at 6 p.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Carthage.
Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
