Jerry Maurice Cole

Jerry Maurice Cole was born December 22, 1942, to Eulen and Clema Cole. He was the oldest of five children all raised in Everman, Texas. As a boy, Jerry was always tinkering and building - frequently found building model planes, cars, and miniature matchstick forts. He graduated from Everman High School and attended the Everman Church of Christ with his family.

At 21, Jerry married Carolyn Hardin and their daughter, Shelly, was born a few years later. During that time, he was drafted into the Army and served honorably for two years with the 42nd Artillery stationed in Giessen, Germany. Trained as a Radio-Telephone Operator, he joked about how he mostly spent those years “peeling potatoes and guarding the motor pool with an unloaded gun.”

After returning home, Jerry became a talented draftsman and carpenter - hand-drawing countless floor plans for distinctive Fort Worth interior designers. He later transitioned from drafting to owning and operating a custom cabinet business. If you could dream it, he could build it. His cabinets were built with such quality that it was often joked “the cabinet would survive a tornado even if the house didn’t!” In his pre-retirement years, he continued to work for interior designers hanging artwork, mirrors, and drapes for multi-million dollar homes.

Jerry met Nancy in 1974. They dated for more than 5 years before marrying in 1980. Their daughter Kelly was born a couple of years later. Jerry and Nancy recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. His family describes him as quiet, observant, gentle, unassuming, even-tempered, soft-spoken, and kind. Jerry never sought to be the center of attention but loved being in the middle of the action, surrounded by friends and family. At home he could be found in his favorite chair doing Sudoku puzzles while watching recordings of The Price Is Right and Gunsmoke - or in the kitchen washing dishes by hand, frying Spam or beanie weenies. He spent countless hours building furniture for family in his workshop, going hunting with friends, and fishing with the grandkids.

A faithful member of the Mansfield Church of Christ, Jerry served quietly and tirelessly for decades. On weekdays you could spot him serving as handyman, chair mover, and carpenter for whatever was asked of him. On Sundays, you could always find him in the back of the worship hall with a clipboard, making sure that there were enough volunteers to serve communion. He loved God and showed it by being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around him. Today he is drinking coffee in heaven with lifelong friend and fellow church member, Al Crouch.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Eulon and Clema Cole; brothers and brother-in-law Randall and Tonny Cole, and Hud Huddleston; nephew Tim Cole; and great nephew, Jeffrey Hathcock. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Cole; daughters and son-in-law Shelly Cole Hye, Kelly Cole Orr, and Kyle Orr; grandchildren Grace Hye, Delaney Hye, Andrew Orr, and Levi Orr; sister Judy Cole Huddleston; brother and sister-in-law Tim and Denise Cole; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the Mansfield Church of Christ.

https://mcctx.churchcenter.com/giving/to/jerry-cole-memorial-gifts