Kenneth Ray Cole

In Loving Memory of Kenneth Ray Cole

1953 - 2025

On the morning of September 6, 2025, in his beloved hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, Kenneth Ray Cole peacefully passed from this earthly life at the age of 72. Born on July 13, 1953, also in Fort Worth, Kenneth's journey was one deeply marked by faith, family, hard work, and the quiet joys of everyday life.

He was the son of the late Don DeForrest Cole and Eunice Ladell Hale-Retz, and the cherished stepson of Gilbert W. Retz. Raised in the Saginaw and Blue Mound area of Fort Worth, Kenneth carried fond and vivid memories of his childhood years spent in the two-story rock house where his grandparents, uncle Larry, and extended family all shared a close and bustling home. That house was the backdrop of laughter, learning, and love, where bonds were forged that remained with him throughout his life.

Kenneth was baptized as a boy in the Baptist Church in Blue Mound, a moment of faith that laid a steady foundation for his life. He attended grade school in Blue Mound before moving on to Saginaw, and in 1973, he proudly graduated from Boswell High School. His education was not just in books, but in the lessons of family, integrity, and perseverance-values he carried into his work and his home.

For Kenneth, nothing in life mattered more than his children and his family. He worked tirelessly to ensure his boys had a happy and secure life, often working long hours and even taking side jobs to provide extra income. He delighted in their conversations about cars, trucks, guns, and motorcycles, and treasured the countless hours spent side by side in the garage, working with his sons to make their vehicles faster, smoother, and stronger. He found joy in the simplest of things-a hearty home-cooked meal, a tall glass of sweet tea or cold milk, and the laughter of his loved ones gathered around the table.

Kenneth devoted the majority of his working career to welding and maintenance. He began his career at Anchor Fabrication in Blue Mound, later joining TXI, where he worked in maintenance until the mid-1980s. He went on to work alongside Pat Crow and later spent years employed at JCPenney's warehouse in Haslet, Texas. A man of many skills, he held several other positions he greatly enjoyed before taking an early retirement due to a leg amputation. Yet even in retirement, Kenneth's strength and humor never wavered.

He was known as a prankster, always better at pulling the joke than being on the receiving end. His quick wit and sense of humor left an impression on everyone he knew. Though he was not a man of many books, Kenneth had a remarkable memory and an instinctive ability to learn-if you showed him something once, he never forgot it. He held fast to his grandmother's cornbread recipe, often declaring that no one else's could compare, a reminder of the enduring influence of family traditions.

A man of steadfast character, Kenneth was rarely seen without his mustache-a signature look he kept throughout his life, save for one brief occasion. His passions were carried on through his sons, who inherited his love of fast cars, motorcycles, and the thrill of the open road.

Kenneth's legacy is carried on with deep love and gratitude by his sons, Kenny Cole and his wife Jenny, and Russell Cole and his wife Alisha. He was the proud grandfather of three grandchildren, Emily, Kailee, and Harley, each of whom he adored beyond measure. He is also survived by his brother, Ronnie Cole, his sister, Brenda Plumley, and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Don DeForrest Cole, his mother, Eunice Ladell Hale-Retz, and his stepfather, Gilbert W. Retz.

A celebration of Kenneth's life will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Community Baptist Fellowship Church, 1405 Reynolds Road in Azle, Texas. Pastor Alton Davis will officiate the service, honoring a life well-lived and a soul well-loved.

Though Kenneth's earthly journey has ended, his spirit will forever live on in the stories, laughter, and love of the family he held so dear. His life was a testament to devotion, resilience, and a father's unwavering love-a legacy that will never be forgotten.