Stephen "Mack" Mcdonald Cole

Funeral services for Stephen "Mack" McDonald Cole, 78, of Gainesville, are set for 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the Whaley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Jones officiating under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, OK. A visitation will be held at the Geo. J Carroll & Son Funeral Home on Monday, November 17, 2014 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.

Stephen "Mack" was born on July 25, 1936 in Valley View, TX to David LaFayette and Velma Orene (Stephens) Cole. He passed away on November 14, 2014 in Bonham, TX. at the Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home.

Mack was a member of the Whaley United Methodist Church, a life member of the VFW, founding member of the Cooke County Republican Party, served on the board of the Cooke County Appraisal District, served on the board of the Woodbine Water Supply, a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, member of the Lions Club, member of AMBUCS, and was a square dance caller. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, and received the Silver Beaver Award. He entered the United States Army in Dallas, TX on April 1, 1955, and retired as Command Sergeant Major in Ft. Carson, CO. on October 31, 1979. He was a recipient of a Purple Heart, and made two tours in Vietnam. He married Sylvia Maxine McCraw on August 1, 1956 in DeRidder, LA.

He is survived by his wife Maxine of Gainesville; son Benjamin Cole and his wife Nancy of McKinney, TX; son Stephen D. Cole of Thackerville, OK; son Bobby Cole and his wife Rhonda of Sadler, TX; daughter Veronica Cole Harper and her husband Bill of Tucson, AZ; brother David Charles Cole and his wife Carolyn of Amarillo, TX; sister Virginia "Ginger" Grant and her husband Bob of Plano, TX; sister Janet Morris and her husband Frank of Gainesville, TX; sister-in-law Cassie Shelley of Leesville, LA; and sister-in-law Dale Fiesel of Quitman, LA. He is also survived by grandchildren William Harper, Daniel Harper and his wife Dawndi, Amie Jordan, Julie Cummings, Jesse Cole and his wife Desirae, Kacie Cole, Chasity Raney, Micheal Whittington and his wife Sarah, Ashley Toler and her husband Jimmy, and Kevin Cole; great-grandchildren Levi Henry, Xzandra Herrera, Jadyn Raney, Devin Raney, Jordon Wooten-Toler, Cerenity Toler, Lily Cole, Emma Cole, Anna Cole, Kaelynn Harper, Kayland Whittington, and Micah Whittington; and Godson David Zingraf.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Maydene and Francis Earl Dietz; and a sister Ruby Awanda Cole.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Military Order of the Purple Heart of Gainesville, Texas, Salvation Army of Gainesville, Texas, or the Wounded Warrior Project.