Bobby Cole

Bobby Rees Cole of Gilbertsville passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Paducah on Thursday, January 8.

Although Bobby was born in Tennessee, he lived most of his life in the state of Kentucky. He was so honored to be named Kentucky Colonel which amplified his love of our state. Bobby proudly served our country as a Merchant Marine. One of his favorite days of the year was Flag Day and he was honored to organize and participate in many ceremonies celebrating this occasion wearing his red, white, and blue shirt. He was a lifetime University of Kentucky fan, but in the past two decades he added the Murray State Racers to his sports interests. In fact, just this past December he was able to go to a Racer basketball game with his daughter and grandson where the team showed him a decisive win. He loved baseball and followed St. Louis, but the past year attended several Paducah Chiefs games with his daughter and family friends becoming a new fan of the local team. It was there, he shared a story of being an umpire for his younger brother’s little league team.  If you knew Bobby, you would never make plans during the weekends during NASCAR season. You talk about a fan! He simultaneously watched the races, read the live stats, and listened to the radio chat between drivers and pit crews. This love and passion of sports is one of the many interests he shared with his wife of 57 years, Pat.

Bobby spent most of his life in a career working for AT&T and its subsidiaries. He retired after 25 years, working his way from an outdoor lineman to management. His last position in the company was to switch many of the individual local office substations over to new systems with computers. Between his time living in Paducah and transferring to central Kentucky, he touched almost every local office from western Kentucky to all but the very eastern part of the state.  In his 25 years with the company, he was never late to work nor called in a sick day. He instilled a great work ethic in his daughter. His love of learning and technology never ceased as demonstrated in personal and community service life. He was a member of the Paducah Jaycee organization, PTA president, and a Band Booster.  When Bobby retired from the phone company, he relocated to Marshall County to be close to his only child and grandchildren. He became an active member of the Marshall County rescue squad and remained an honorary member until his death.  He was a member of the Elks Lodge and for many years was active in local headquarters of the Republican Party. One of his greatest pleasures in retirement was becoming a raptor rescuer. For over 25 years, he would capture wounded raptors such as owls, hawks and an eagle, transport them to a rehab facility in the Louisville area, and release them when healed back to the area they were found. He was so proud to be able to take his great-granddaughter to the release of two sibling barred owls and a hawk in her grandmother’s backyard: teaching her facts about the birds with each.

Bobby’s biggest joy in life was his family. He was married to the love of his life, Patricia, for 57 years. They enjoyed traveling, taking cruises, and camping in the RV that he and his brother built from an old bread truck. His grandest adventure was his 50th wedding anniversary trip to Alaska where he and Pat spent a month seeing the state by river, train, and land.  Bobby never missed seeing his daughter or grandchildren in every activity throughout their lives following them on band trips, dance recitals, and academic team matches. He especially loved seeing them all graduate from Murray State over the years with multiple Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He was a very proud father and grandfather. He had continued to be involved in his great-granddaughter’s life attending all the Grandparent’s Day activities in her pre-school and elementary years, play performances, and dance recitals. During his hospital stay recently, he recalled funny stories of being at the hospital on the day of her birth and the joy she brought into his life from that moment forward. He gave her the very first taste of ice cream at a neighborhood fish fry which happened to be his special homemade vanilla, and they had many meet-ups for ice cream in the years that followed. Bobby was the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather that any family would have been honored to have, and we were blessed to call him ours.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. Lee Cole and Mary Helen Rees Cole, one brother, Gilliam Lee Cole, son-in-law, Robert E Smith, and his beloved wife Patricia Carol Daugherty Cole. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Jane Cole Smith, of Paducah, brother, John Mac Cole (Ann) of Winchester, grandchildren Robert T Smith (Zandra) of Kirksey and Robyn M Pizzo (David) of Murray, and one great-granddaughter Hazel C Pizzo. He is also survived by two nieces and many cousins. Not to be left out, his beloved little dog Ace (a Marshall County celebrity) who is now in the care of his daughter.

Bobby was raised in the Methodist faith by his loving and faithful mother, but in the later years attended Baptist churches supporting his wife, daughter, and grandchildren in many ministries. Whatever we needed, he was there to help including making a flashing No Vacancy sign for a children’s choir Christmas program.

Visitation will be held at Collier Funeral Home on Monday, January 12 from 5-7 pm. A private family interment and celebration of life will be held in Winchester at a future time. Please make any honorary donations to the Marshall County Rescue Squad.