Carl William Cole

Carl William Cole passed away Monday, May 12, 2025, at his home in McDade. He was born on September 27, 1941, in Beaumont, Texas, the first of eight children born to J.B. and Edna Schumann Cole.

He was educated at Round Top-Carmine and Elgin public schools. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1959. In high school he was a yell leader and served as president of the local FFA Chapter. He then attended the University of Texas while working for The Sherwin-Williams Co. He was promoted numerous times while working there and worked in Austin, Houston, Killeen, Temple and then back to Austin. While in Temple he was a member of the Jaycees and in 1968 he was named the Outstanding Jaycee for the state of Texas.

After working for Sherwin-Williams for eleven years, Carl left to go into business for himself. He started and built several successful companies, including: Longhorn Painting & Decorating, Longhorn Cleaning & Waterproofing and International Decorators. He shut them down to start Central Texas Decorating Centers (CTDC) with stores in Austin, San Marcos and Rockport. He eventually sold CTDC and started Cen-Tex Sales, a wholesale distributing company that operated in Texas and Mexico.

Carl also bred and raced Thoroughbreds including several winners.

After selling Cen-Tex Sales, he managed real estate investments and ran cattle, first in Creedmoor, then in Paige and finally in McDade. He later acquired ranches in Old Glory and Lovelady, Texas.

Carl was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church as a young man. He was a founding member of New Hope Lutheran Church of McDade and served as President of the Church Council for several terms.

Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed many hobbies including: genealogy, dancing, rodeoing, tennis, taking trips with his buddies to horse races, coaching girls’ Little League softball, refinishing furniture, and tinkering in his workshop.

Carl chose to give back by supporting the local FFA and 4H clubs. In 2010 the Elgin FFA awarded him an Honorary Chapter Degree and in 2014 the Bastrop 4H awarded him the Friend of 4H award. Carl was instrumental in starting the FFA in McDade ISD, and in 2025 he and Lola were awarded an honorary membership in the McDade Chapter.

He was a 60 year plus and endowed member of the Elgin Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Austin Scottish Rite and the Ben Hur Shrine where he spent ten years in the Clown Unit. As part of the Clown Unit he participated in parades and was known for his Puppy Chow box which he kept full of candy for the kids. He was also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Sons of the American Revolution.

Carl is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lola; his daughter, Susan Jurk (Scott); stepdaughter, Shannon Lollar (Clarence Goins); stepdaughter-in-law, Teri Daughtry (Damon); brothers, Cleburn (Julie) and Calvin (Tammi); sisters, Marilyn Moore (Gary), Shirley Mueller, Juanita Carson and Nida Faye Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Darrell Carlson; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.B. and Edna Cole; sisters, Gloria Frasier, Carol Ann Carlson and Jo Gail Sconci; and stepson, Damon Daughtry.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 19, 2025, at Providence-Jones from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral service will be at New Hope Lutheran Church, McDade, Texas Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM with burial services following at Elgin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hope Lutheran Church, Shriners Hospital’ Hospital, or the charity of your choice.