Arthur (Art) W. Cole, 76, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 in Poplar Bluff at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. He was born June 7, 1941 in Tallapoosa, Mo., to James and Ermer Cole. They preceded him in death along with his brothers: John Cole, Edgar Cole, Pervus Cole and a sister, Selmer Shaw.
Art was married to Dora Opalewski Cole Dec. 27, 1969. They have a daughter, Annie Cole, and grandson, Joseph (Joey) Mullins of Republic, Mo. He leaves behind three nieces: Ava King of St. Louis, Eleanor Metcalf of Pontiac, Mich., and Julie Gordon of Troy, Mich.; a nephew, David Cole of Ault, Colo. He also has two grandnephews: John Devault, St. Louis, and Byron Metcalf, Pontiac, Mich.
Art graduated in 1959 from Gideon High School. SEMO State University in 1962, University of Missouri, 1965, and received a Ford Foundation Grant to attend graduate school at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1968.
Art served (volunteered for the draft) in Vietnam and joined the Missouri National Guard upon return, was deployed to Desert Storm in 1991 and retired in 2001.
He was a high school teacher and subsequently moved to the Poplar Bluff Regional Center and retired from the Department of Mental Health in 2003.
Art was a dedicated worker for the Democrat Party. He served as chair of the Congressional District, and the 153rd Senate District, as well as the committeeman for the 4th Ward in Poplar Bluff. He worked tirelessly to try to make life better for every person in the state. His favorite was mentoring young people to reach their dreams. Many times he passed up the spotlight to shine the light on someone else or to push them closer to their dream. He was loved and respected by family and friends.
Arrangements are being made by Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m., Monday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Poplar Bluff. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m., at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Burial will be at the Veterans' Cemetery in Bloomfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Springfield Metro Baseball League, Little Guys League c/o Rob Ginocchio, 1977 Frm Rd 82, Springfield, Mo., 65803.
Paid