Richard Lee "Dick" Cole

Cole, Richard Lee "Dick," was born Dec. 1, 1930, in Anthony, Kan., the only child of Fred E. and Esther C. Cole. Dick attended schools in Anthony, Harper, and Wichita, where he graduated from East High in 1948. Dick was employed as a sports writer for the Wichita Beacon newspaper after graduation and attended Wichita University part-time. Dick spent two years in the U.S. Army from 1951-53 and was released from active duty with the rank of Second Lieutenant. Dick returned to the Beacon but left in 1955 to join the Wichita Police Department, where he spent 22 years and three months, retiring in December 1977 with the rank of Major. During this time, he completed course work and graduated from Wichita State University. Also, during this time, Dick served in the Kansas Army National Guard as the Captain Company Commander of Company C of the 137th Infantry, where the company was awarded the Funston Trophy as the top rifle company in the Kansas Army Guard for two consecutive years. Upon retirement, he went to work for Beech Aircraft, later Raytheon Aircraft, where he again retired in January 1996 as the Manager of Corporate Services, which included Plant Security. In 1958, Dick married the love of his life, Darelene "Dee" Montgomery and to this marriage were born four children: Mark, Brian (Collette), Lisa Koehn, and Nancy (John) Fanning, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Cassandra "Cassie" Kottsick and Dylan Cole, Jack and Alex Fanning, Jonas Koehn and Rebecca Cole; along with stepgrandchildren, Christian and Austin Richardson; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Dayton and Kaden Richardson. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013, at Riverside Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Riverside Christian Church, 1001 N. Litchfield, Wichita, KS 67203. Baker Funeral Home, Wichita.