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Ralph Leslie "Buddy" Cole, Jr., 80, of Pilot Point, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2014 in Denton, TX. He was born August 19, 1934 in Denton to Ralph and Sarah (Evans) Cole, Sr. Buddy married Norma Jo (Woodrum) Cole on July 2, 1955 in Denton, TX. He served in the Texas Air National Guard as Staff Sergeant in the crash rescue section of the fire department at OCD Hensley Field in Grand Prairie. Buddy graduated in 1956 from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. During his career he worked in numerous fields including Cole Grain Co.-Krum, Denton County National Bank-Denton, F&M State Bank-Krum, Denton Savings Assoc.-Denton, Pilot Point National Bank-Pilot Point, Denton County Judge, Denton County Commissioner Precinct 1, and Fishing Guide on Lake Ray Roberts-Pilot Point. He was the first president of the Krum Young Citizen's Club in the early 50s; an outdoor columnist for the Denton Home Herald, Denton Record Chronicle, and Pilot Point Post Signal which over the years totaled about 1500 columns; first president of the Denton Bass Club; Chairman of the Pilot Point Home Rule Charter Commission in 2009. Governor Mark White appointed him as a member of the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council. He served as both president and vice president of the Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce and also served on the Pilot Point City Council. Buddy was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pilot Point, Pilot Point Masonic Lodge #270 where he had served as Master and was a member of the Krum Masonic Lodge, Pilot Point Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shriners masonic organizations. He was a Texas Master Naturalist and earned the Pilot Point Distinguished Citizen in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Norma of Pilot Point; two sons, Alan Cole of Denton, Leslie Cole of Coppell; two brothers, Charles Cole of Santa Fe, NM, James Cole of Dallas; sister, Janice Callarman of Krum; nephew, Bill Cole of Victoria; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held 6:30PM-7:30PM, Friday, October 10, 2014 at Slay Memorial Chapel of Pilot Point. A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, October 11, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Pilot Point with Rev. Penny Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at Krum Jackson Cemetery in Krum, TX. Donations may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center, Pilot Point. To send a flower arrangement to the family of Ralph L. "Buddy" Cole, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

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Ralph L. "Buddy" Cole

August 19, 1934 - October 9, 2014