Ralph Myrle Cole

Born to Earl and Jose Cole February 17, 1919, Ralph was born by midwife in a one room house west of Duncan, Oklahoma. A graduate of Comanche H.S. Class of 1937, Ralph went on to study Agronomy (soil science) at Oklahoma State University, where he was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. He received his Bachelors of Science degree from OK State in 1941 and went on to attend the University of Arkansas High Explosives School from 1941- 1942.

Ralph’s first employment was with Trojan Powder Company in Sandusky, OK. He went on to serve in the Armed Forces from 8-2-1943 to 8-6-1946 with active military assignments that included Staff Sergeant in the US Army and Ensign with the US Navy. Ralph sailed on the SS Juan Flaco Brown Ship, stationed off the coast of Normandy on D Day.

In 1946, Ralph was hired by Swift & Co. in Chicago, IL, as a Territorial Sales Manager, and ultimately became the Head of Transportation, Purchasing, & Trading. He retired from Swift in 1979. From 1979-1991, Ralph served as a Consultant for both Chemical Enterprises and Stoller Chemical in Houston, Texas.

Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Mary Jane Cole, his wife of 47 years, brothers John, Floyd and Therman and his sister, Helen. Survived by his children David Grady (Pamela) Cole , Steven (Cheryl) Cole, Susan Cole (Dusty) Thiele and William Cole. Grandchildren Jennifer Cole, Jonathon David Cole, Sarah Thiele, Laura Anne Thiele, William Whittington and great-grandchild, Victoria Cole.

Our family would like to thank Houston Hospice, in addition to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Methodist West in Katy for their loving and special care of our dear father.

Funeral Service will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, February 9th at 3pm. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 8th from 6 pm to 8pm. Burial in Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oklahoma State Scholarship fund in memory of Ralph Cole.