Reverend Tommy Ray Cole was born June 15,1935 in Mulberry, Arkansas to Merle and Lillie Mae (Henson) Cole. With 11 siblings, 4 brothers and 7 sisters, life was never dull in the Cole household. Plowing fields for farming, picking strawberries, swimming in 'the swimming hole', pulling pranks, and walking to the local store to buy candy were memories he talked of often. Tommy graduated from Mulberry High School in 1953. He joined the army shortly after and his army career took him far off to France and all over the United States. After honorable discharge, he headed west for Cali fornia. He became a California resident and met Doreen Sylvia Stone.  They had an exciting courtship and were married on November 23, 1958.  Tommy got a job at Consolidated Freightways. He was ordained as a minister August 13,1961 and in December of 1961, the y welcomed their first daughter, Teresa Doreen.  Daughter number two, Trudy, c ame 2 years later in December of 1963. Their daughters were the light of their lives, and longing for a simpler way of life, the family moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma in 1969. Tommy and Doreen both held different jobs, working at the Sand Springs Children's Home. Following after, he worked a t Pepsi Co., McMichael/Mid Continent (where Tommy was so proud of his cement truck, until it was struck by a train) and Sand Springs Sand & Gravel.  But no job was more important to the family than being a minister, and later became Pastor a t Sand Springs General Baptist Church on July 1, 1981.  Tommy spread the gospel everywhere he went, to every person he met. He also loved singing and going to Gospel singings. Tommy preached and Doreen a cted over the years as secretary, both Teresa and Trudy were also very active in the church, often leading Sunday School class for the children. Tommy's second favorite job was Papa.  He was blessed with 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  In his younger years, he could often be found laying on the floor, playing with the children's toys, riding his bike with a baby seated in the back, pulling grandkids in wagon behind the lawn tractor, buying sack f ull of fireworks to let off in his driveway, and teaching the kids how to play dominoes or Uno.  He never took it easy on us. He and Doreen went to every sporting event the grandchildren played, cheering in the stands and visiting with all the families. He belonged to the Teamsters Union while driving trucks.  After retirement, Tommy was involved in many activities and groups including, AARP-as a officer, American Legion, Sand Springs Rotary, and the Ministers Alliance. He was a valued member of the Red Cross blood donation. He gave often and was recognized in the newspaper for his frequent donations. Tommy is preceded in death by his father Merle and mother Lillie , brothers Bobby Cole, Henson Cole, Billy Cole and Jesse Cole; sisters, Sue Dowd, Francis Roe, Carmel Adams and Joyce Treat, and daughter Trudy Eddington. He is survived by his wife, Doreen (Stone) Cole of Sand Springs, Ok, daughter Teresa Treadwell and husband Billy, of Mannford, OK, sister Merle Ann Stovall of Mountain Home, AR, sister Pamela Hudson of Batesville, AR, sister Marsha Mirra and husband John of Gulf Breeze, FL,  granddaughter Jessica (Ha le) Skelton and husband Trey of Tulsa, Ok, grandson Steven R Hale Jr (Randy) and wife Kayla of Sand Springs, Ok, grandson Austin Hale and wife Shelby of Mannford, Ok, grandson Josh Eddington, of Brooklyn, NY, grandson Justin Eddington of Sand Springs, OK and loads of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The viewing will be held at Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, October 4 ^th from 12 -8 pm, funeral will be Wednesday, October 5 ^th at 1pm at the funeral home with graveside to follow.