Paul Cole

Paul Dean Cole was born on Feb. 24, 1944, to Euel and Susan Cole in Altadena, Calif., and passed from this world at home on June 29, 2017, at age 73.
In his last days at home, Paul was cared for by his loving daughter, Heather, wife, Linda, and friend, Kim Lawson.
Paul and his family traveled back and forth between Arkansas and California for the next 18 years of his life. Paul loved his time in Branch, Ark., and his favorite memories there were of the time spent with his grandmother, Bubba Bennett.
Paul was a hard-working man and lived his entire life caring for and training  horses. He started working at the County Line Sale Barn in Ratcliff, Ark., at age 13.  Paul was an avid race horse trainer and was invited to the Champion of Champions at Albuquerque, N.M., with a two-year-old horse he owned and trained. Paul also owned and operated a dairy farm in Branch, Ark., for seven years, where he milked Holstein cattle.
Paul married Linda on June 28, 1975, and they made their home in Oklahoma City for the next 30 years. They retired to McCurtain in 2002 where they continued to ride and care for their horses. Paul’s favorite horse was Sugar and he rode many miles in the hills and country roads around McCurtain.
Paul was a member of Bokoshe United Methodist Church, where he worshiped and served for many years.
Paul was an understanding husband and wonderful father. He is survived by his wife, Linda, of the home; one daughter, Heather Bekoff and grandson, Brooks, of McCurtain; one son, Heath Vincent and wife, Andrea of Edmond; two granddaughters, Ashley and Tiffany;  three grandsons, Bradley, Cole and Zack; and four great-granddaughters, all of Skiatook; one aunt, Maud Bennett of New Mexico; special cousins, Maxine Skeets, Tanya Hamilton and Debbie Loveless of Charleston, Ark.; sister-in-law, Betty Terry of Oklahoma City; niece, Kristen Terry of Oklahoma City; nephew, Bryan Terry of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; as well as a host of cousins and many friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved grandmother, Bubba Bennett; one daughter, Tammy; one granddaughter, Carla; and one sister, Betty Cole.
Paul will always be remembered for his love for family and friends.
Services were held July 3 at Miners Cemetery in McCurtain with Pastor Cindy Arnwine and Tammy Bray officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory of Stigler.
Pallbearers were Patrick Lovell, Kenny Blaylock, Chris Hensley, Tracy Lovell, Jerry Bray and Alvin Blaylock.
Honorary pallbearers were Jerl Warren, Wayne Warren, Milford Blaylock, Paul Orr, Donald Sawyers, Loyd Nixon, Eddie Pritchard, Jerry Nixon and Bill Henderson.