Bertram "Bert" Cole,

Bertram Earle “Bert” Cole, Jr., 92, Altus, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at his home. Funeral services with Masonic Rites are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013 at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Rev. Bruce Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home. Bert was born on December 17, 1920 to B.E. and Hattie Bird (Talley) Cole in the Cole family home near Altus, OK. His grandparents had homesteaded southeast of Altus in 1889 and were known as a long time farming family. He graduated from Altus High School in 1938. He attended Altus Junior College, where he played football from 1938 to 1940. Bert transferred to Oklahoma A & M in Stillwater, OK, where he met Willie Gazaway. They were united in marriage on July 14, 1942 in his parents’ home. To this marriage six children were born. Bert enlisted and served his country in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 as a B-24 pilot. He served in the Italian European Theater, where his plane was shot down over Yugoslavia in WWII. He was missing in action for 6 months. After the war and returning home in 1945, Bert continued his education and played offensive and defensive tackle at Oklahoma A & M College from 1945 to 1946. This team won the Sugar Bowl in 1946 and was the only undefeated and untied team in OSU history. He received his Bachelor and Masters degree in Agronomy from Oklahoma A & M College in 1946. Bert returned to Altus where he farmed until 1972. He then began working as an inspector for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1991. He was a Charter member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Altus, a 33rd Degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite for 50 years. Bert was very proud of the fact that he had donated 206 pints of blood for those in need. He was an avid belt buckle collector, proudly owning 1500 buckles. He loved to hunt, fish, watch any and all sports, and to spend time reading. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Willie, three brothers, Adna, Selten and E.W, and two sisters, Joy and Jane. Bert is survived by one daughter, Mary Patterson and husband, Roger, of Mustang, OK; five sons, Dr. Brian Cole and wife, Brenda, of Florence AL, Chris Cole and wife, Gayle, of Claremore, OK, Rex Cole and wife, Linda, of Elk City, OK, David Cole and wife, Jeanie, of Altus, OK, and Kevin Cole and wife, April, also of Altus, OK; thirteen grandchildren, Karen, Alice, Ryan, Tara, Amari, Collin, Dr. Mallory, Koby, Kendra , Geoffrey, Aimee, Taylor, Tanner; twenty great-grandchildren; and a sister, Merle Ashley, of Aurora, CO. The Cole family will greet friends from 3:00 -5:00p.m., Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the Kincannon Gathering Room. Memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church or the Masonic Lodge #62 in Altus, OK. Additional parking for the service will be available behind the funeral home, Best Western to the south and Western Sizzlin’ to the north.