Thomas Henry Cole

Thomas Henry Cole March 11, 1947 March 14, 2013. Thomas Henry Cole passed away Marcy 14, 2013. A memorial service will be 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 24 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Thomas Henry Cole was born March 11, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Hobbs High School in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1965. Then he went to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. Following graduation, Tom taught school in Anthony, Texas and later went to work for General Motors where he earned honors numerous times as both Top Service Manager and Top Salesman for his district. He left General Motors to become part owner of Bynum Motors in Portales. Tom purchased the dealership when he was 28 years old, the youngest person to do so at that time. He was the proud owner of Cole Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, GMC dealership. In later years, Tom returned to teaching and taught auto mechanics in Dumas, Texas, where he met and married Carol Elliott. While in Dumas, he began an intensive study of the Bible, which was to have a profound effect on him the rest of his life. Tom moved his family to Waco in 1995 and went through the Golfsmith International Inc. Clubmaker's Training Program to become a Professional Accredited Clubmaker. He then worked as a professional clubmaker and club fitter at Brazos Golf. Due to health problems, Tom retired early and began work on writing books stemming from his intensive study of the Bible. He also used knowledge he gained as a teacher and a father to begin working on books about teaching and training children. Tom was hoping to one day publish these books. Anyone who knew Tom also knew he was a very intelligent man with a keen sense of humor. He loved the Lord, and he loved his family. He took great pride in his children and their accomplishments. Tom's children are the lasting legacy he leaves behind. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Cole, and his mother, Florence Cole. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of McLennan County along with their five children, Rebecca Cash, and her husband, Wesley and son, Graham Cash of Woodway, Texas, Caleb Cole of Hewitt, Texas and Hannah, David, and Sarah Cole of the home place in McLennan County. Tom is also survived by two other daughters, Misha Stewart and her son, Cason Carroll, and daughter, Cammy Morales and her two daughters. He is also survived by one brother, Dennis Cole of McLennan County, and one sister, Chris White along with her husband, Bruce of Flagstaff, Arizona. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey