Alvie L. Cole

SAN ANGELO Alvie L. Cole of Sterling City passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, March 17, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. Alvie was born April 2, 1921, to Eugene and Minnie Mae Cole on the Overall Ranch in Coleman County, Texas. He married Mildred Atkinson on March 1, 1946, and enjoyed over 60 years together. He moved to Sterling County in 1939, where he began to pursue his love of ranching. He covered a lot of area in his 74 years of ranching, including Sterling, Glasscock, Mitchell, Goldthwaite, San Saba and Llano counties. In addition to ranching, Alvie had many other business interests. He operated a horse training center at the Lazy A Ranch for roping, cutting, barrel and race horses. He created Cole and Associates Horse Care Center in Ruidoso, N.M. For eight years he supervised the equine therapy pool and surgery center. Alvie also was the president of the board of Cole Land & Mineral which specializes in oil and gas leases as well as the sale of ranches. One of his many interests was the rodeo. Being a former rodeo champion performer in his own right, in 1968, he produced the first All American Rodeo in Mexico City, Mexico. Alvie served our nation with pride in World War II for four years: one and a half years as master sergeant in administration for officer's candidate school and two and a half years in active combat duty in the South Pacific. While serving in the Army, he won a middle weight boxing championship at Fort Monmouth, N.J., and four middleweight boxing championships in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged as a first sergeant. Civic work was one of Alvie's top priorities. He was involved in many organizations during his lifetime including the West Texas Boys Ranch, American Legion, Texas Sheep & Goat Raiser's Association, American Quarter Horse Association and the Southwest Animal Research Foundation. He recently celebrated 65 years of membership in the Dynamic Downtown Lion's Club. His commitment to this organization awarded him with many honors including the Melvin Jones Award. In 2000, he and Mildred moved to the Brown Ranch where he was able to combine his passions for art and the Old West. Alvie expanded his love of history by recreating a cattle drive and historic village. He enjoyed visiting with many a passer-by who would pull over to admire his works. This attraction is enjoyed by family, friends (new and old) and even local school children. Alvie L. Cole was a man of many accomplishments and he left no stone unturned. He was no stranger to hard work and was always lending a helping hand and words of wisdom. He cherished the many relationships with family, friends and the community. Alvie is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Herman Fox of Sterling City, Texas; grandchildren Laura and Roy Gladden of Odessa, Texas, and Linda and Chris Long of Leesburg, Va., Jeff Fox of Alvarado, Texas, and Jennifer and Michael Buchanan of McGregor, Texas; great-grandchildren William, Abigail and Alexander Long, Garrett and Gage Fox, Aubrie and Bailee Buchanan; a brother, Bill J. Cole of San Angelo; sister and brother-in-law Myrna and Pete Cameron of Las Vegas, Nev.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; infant son; younger brother; and parents. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers who made him comfortable in his last days: Sara, Maria, Aurora, Yolanda and Odyssey Hospice of San Angelo. Additionally, our deepest appreciation for the many warm thoughts and prayers from family and friends. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at the Brown Ranch, 2001 Hwy 87 South, Sterling City. Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at Sterling City's First United Methodist Church followed by burial with military honors in Montvale Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Grape Creek. Donations can be made to West Texas Boys Ranch; Meals For The Elderly; or to your favorite charity.