Robert H. Cole, 94, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Box Butte General Hospital.
He was born on October 8, 1921 at Gordon, Nebraska to Raymond Wilsie and Anna Katherine (Holst) Cole. He was raised on the family ranch 35 miles north of Hyannis in Cherry County. He was a third generation rancher working the ranch homesteaded by his grandfather in 1888.
On June 1, 1943, he was united in marriage to LaVeta I. Nance on the John Becker ranch north of Ashby. They lived on the Cole ranch until moving into Alliance in 1998. Bob enjoyed all aspects of the ranch life. He was an avid pilot and team roper for years.
He was a former Cherry County Commissioner, District 135 School Board member; he served on the Cherry County Hospital board and was a 65-year member of the Masonic Temple with dual membership in the Hyannis and Alliance Lodges. In 2014, he was inducted into the Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Hall of Fame. While living in Alliance, he was a member of the First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, LaVeta, his children, Carol A. Cole of Alliance, Sandra I. (Marty) Schefcik of Winchester, TN and LaVon J. (John) McLane of Kearney, NE, 7 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Robert Ray Cole and grandson, Jesse J. Cole, and his brother, Elvin G. Cole.
Memorial services will be Wednesday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alliance with Pastor James Rowe officiating.
Memorials may be given to the Tri-State Old-Time Cowboy Memorial Museum, Shriners Children Hospital or the First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be left at www.bates-gould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.