Roger W. Cole

Roger was born on July 18, 1939 in Perryville, Arkansas, the son of Veleta Shelton Cole and Kempner Joe Cole. Roger and his brother Joe lost their father at a young age and moved with their mother to Oklahoma City. They were raised by their mother and beloved Grandmother, Hazel Alley, and later their stepfather, Albert Reid. Roger graduated from Midwest City High School in 1958 where he was an outstanding all around athlete. He played halfback and scored 5 touchdowns and rushed for 250 yards in one game. He was named as honorable mention to the 1958 All-State football team and was named to the All-State track team. He attended Cameron University on a football scholarship where he was a running back. Roger met the love of his life, B. Ann, during college and married in 1963.

In 1960, he was hired by John Gamill at Reserve National Insurance Company, as a sales representative. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1965. In 1972, he was named Executive Vice President and Agency Director of both health and life insurance. Roger was always professional and led others with a positive attitude. He encouraged and motivated others to reach their fullest potential. Under Roger’s leadership, Reserve National emerged as a state and national insurance leader. Roger, with B. Ann at his side, traveled the country promoting and growing Reserve National. In 1994, he was named President and Chairman of the Board. Roger had the privilege of working with his mentor, best friends, and family until his retirement as Chairman of the Board in 2008.

Roger’s love of sports extended to horses. He raised and trained quarter horses and made many close friends. Roger supported the National Finals Rodeo, designing the Championship trophy for the 1984 rodeo. He was a “heeler” in team roping and enjoyed the go-rounds at the World Championship Quarter Horse Shows, Lazy E Arena and other events well into his 60s. Roger shared his love of horses teaching all his kids and grandkids to ride. He served as President of the Greater Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Association and traveled the region to horse shows with his family.

Roger never met a stranger. He loved Oklahoma and enjoyed serving his community in many ways including First Christian Church of Edmond, National Cowboy Hall and Western Heritage Museum Board Member, University of Central Oklahoma Foundation Board Member, Oklahoma Horse Racing Commissioner, Petroleum Club President, Oklahoma Allied Arts Foundation Board Member, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Men’s Dinner Club, Downtown Rotary and Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation Board Member. He treasured western art and the family never missed the National Finals Rodeo. Roger loved his many Bomber friends and was proud to be selected to the Midwest City High School Hall of Fame.

Roger and B. Ann raised their family in Midwest City and later Edmond. They dated every day in their 47 years of marriage. Family was everything to Roger and he loved attending the grandkids’ events and taking them for a boat ride at the lake. He is survived by B. Ann, and their three children and spouses, Stacy and Mark McDaniel, Marcy and Chris Kenney and Steve and Tammy Cole. His eight grandchildren were his pride and joy, Cole, Josh and Meghan McDaniel, MacKenzie and Drew Kenney, and Kadyn, Mason and Wyatt Cole. He is also survived by his brother Joe Cole, who he was never without, and his wife Charlene Cole. He is preceded in death by Veleta and Albert Reid and his father, Kempner Cole.

Services will be held Friday, February 4th at 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church in Edmond, 201 East Second Street, Edmond, 73034. Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper is handling the funeral arrangements. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Roger W. Cole to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111.