Donald A. "Don" Cole

Donald A. “Don” Cole passed away on Wednesday, the 17th of April 2024, with family at his side. Don was born in September of 1944 to his devoted mother Jo Pat Cole in a military hospital in Temple, Texas, while his father George Doyle Cole Jr. was serving in the European theater in General George S. Patton’s Third Army.

Don, and his older brother George, grew up in San Antonio moving to Austin in 1955 where Don graduated from William B. Travis High School in 1962. Don always had fond memories of the joint ‘side-business’ venture he had with his Father and Brother running Cole Brother’s Sinclair on South Lamar in Austin.

After high school, Don made his way to Huntsville, Texas, to attend his beloved Sam Houston State University. It is in Huntsville that Don first met his cherished and dedicated love of his life, Sara. Don and Sara married in 1968 enjoying 56 years of marriage together. The final years of Don’s life displayed the utmost dedication and devotion from Sara as she cared for him through his debilitating disease, CANVAS. Words cannot express the level of fervent care provided by Sara through Don’s final years.

It is in Huntsville where Don developed his professional passion for Criminology (now known as Criminal Justice). Don received both his Bachelors of Science in Criminology and Master of Arts in Criminology from Sam Houston. During his academic studies in Huntsville, Don assumed several roles in the Texas Department of Corrections. Don’s fascinating stories of working in the prison system during his college years were always entertaining to hear.

In 1968, Don and Sara moved to Houston. It is there that Don began his career in the private sector learning to conduct polygraph investigations and employment background screenings. In 1973, Don and Sara formed their own business which today is referred to as The Cole Group. In the capacity of President of The Cole Group, Don served hundreds of prominent Houston businesses many of which are still served by The Cole Group to this day. Through Don’s guidance, and onto his son’s, The Cole Group has evolved into a family run nationally prominent background screening firm with a current client base spanning all 50 states. Through the years, The Cole Group has nurtured the Criminal Justice careers of hundreds of former employees. Don also served as a founding member of Houston Crimestoppers volunteering time in various roles in the organization including Chairman of the Board.

In his personal life, Don enjoyed many passions. Don was known for the two large gardens in his yard where he would grow an extensive variety of vegetables annually. Many a friend and neighbor shared in the delights of having fresh vegetables delivered by Don. Don enjoyed cooking for his family, coaching his children’s teams, snow skiing and golfing with family and friends, time on the lake, studying history, dinners and travels with friends, and of course his wine collection and the occasional cocktail.

Don was boisterous and fun, but serious when he needed to be. He was never one to hold back telling it like he saw it, a positive (and uncommon) trait in today’s world. He also had the gracious ability to make strangers, and those he knew well, feel special and unique.

Don is survived by his wife, Sara; daughter, Catherine Elizabeth “Cathy” Cole; son, Donald Anthony Cole II and his wife Lauren; brother, George Cole and his wife Ginger; and his granddaughters, Sara Catherine Cromack, Allison Cristen Cole, and Avery Woodie Cole.

The family wishes to thank all of the special people that cared for Don including Enrique Fernando Lara and Irene Guevara. The family, and Don especially, want to thank all of the dedicated employees of The Cole Group for their years and decades of service to the company.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Don from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 16th of May, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Donald A. Cole Scholarship at Sam Houston State University, University Advancement, Box 2537, Huntsville, TX 77340, or via phone 936-294-4050, or online at https://secure.touchnet.com/C21329_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=2585&SINGLESTORE=true

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