Stephen Peru Cole Jr. of Longview, Tx. passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the age of 93.
Steve was born on November 29, 1927 in Minden, Louisiana to Willie Lee and Stephen P. Cole Sr. He grew up in a tough era and was proud of his Louisiana heritage. He graduated from Minden High School in 1945 and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. After returning home, he attended college at Northwestern State, where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Finance in 1951. It was in college where Steve met the love of his life, Babe. They married in 1950 and soon after started their family.
After graduation, Steve and Babe moved back to Minden where he went to work for the Minden Bank & Trust Co. He also taught night school at the local trade school to vets returning from military service. Steve remained active in his community and church. In 1966, Steve graduated from the LSU School of Banking with a degree in Applied Banking. Shortly thereafter in 1967, Steve moved his family to Longview, Tx. where he went to work for Longview National Bank.
Some of his favorite times occurred at his lake house fishing, cooking BBQ or putting on a fish fry. He was very active in his children’s activities and loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their special events or just being “Poppow”.
Steve is survived by the following: his daughter Debbie and husband Loy Roberson of Lubbock, Tx; daughter-in-law Carol Cole of Charlotte, NC; daughter Libby and husband Jim Teigen of Abilene, Tx; son Scott Cole and wife Lindsay of Lake Cherokee (Longview); son Jeff Cole and wife Sandy of El Paso, Tx. He is also survived by his brother Dr. George David Cole of Northport, Al., 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his beautiful wife Marjie E. (Babe) Cole and his oldest son Stephen D. Cole.
Special thanks to Debbie Wilson, the staff at LifeCare and Parkview on Hollybrook for their love and care.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 22, 2021. A private service will be Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Rosewood Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center or a charity of your choice.
Fork’em Demons!