- Date Of Birth: January 20, 1935
- Date Of Death: November 26, 2020
- State: Indiana
William Milton “Milt” Cole, age 85, Logansport, passed away at 9:36 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020, in his residence.
Born Sunday, January 20, 1935, in Drummonds, Tennessee, he was the son of Cliff and Jessie Embry Cole.
On December 3, 1955, in Tennessee, he married Jean Rhodes, who survives.
A 1952 graduate of Munford High School in Munford, Tennessee, Milt served his country in the Tennessee and later, Indiana National Guard.
Also surviving are three children, Suzy (Brad) Thompson, Tennessee, Keith (Carmella Ricci) Cole and Randy (Candy) Cole, all of Logansport; grandchildren, Leigh Ann Garst, Hannah Ruth Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Tyler (Sarah) Cole, Brittany (Nick) Burke, Brad (Ashley) Gleitz, Sabra Wilson, Tori (Aaron) Wagoner; great grandchildren, Jonah Garst, Elijah Garst, Cooper Cole, Tucker Cole, Ryder Wagoner, Cruz Wagoner, Liam Wilson, Haley Gleitz, Brayden Gleitz, and Makenna Gleitz.
Also surviving are siblings, Bettie (JM) Cole, Goodin, Tennessee, Patrick (Janelle) Cole, Patsy (Tommy) Turner, all of Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Marlene Cole, Cincinnati, Peggy Cole and Cathey Cole, both of Tennessee; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Preceding in death are brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rachel and William Cole Ferguson, Mary Glen Cole, Charles and Mary Cole, Carolyn Faye and Howard Cole King, Calvin Cole, James Cole, and Maynard Cole; and several nephews.
In 1956, Milt moved to Logansport for a job with John I. Shafer Hardwood Company. After serving as general manager, he bought the business and renamed it Cole Hardwood.
When fire destroyed the lumberyard in 1988, Milt stood before his workers and promised them that no one would miss a paycheck. He rebuilt the business, overcoming damages worth $14 million.
Milt and Jean established the Cole Family Scholarships at Indiana University Kokomo. In 2005, Milt received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Indiana University.
Along with being a successful business leader, Milt tried his hand in the early 1970’s at a hobby… farming.
Although work and hobbies were important to Milt, nothing was as important as his family in Logansport, Indiana and Tennessee where he grew up.
As his grandchildren were growing up, Milt would often stop by their homes to play a quick game of Dominos and discuss their daily school news. Usually staying for a bite to eat at the dinner table, the conversations always led to life lessons.
Always teaching, Milt would express the importance of a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and giving back, no matter how big or small. He believed the more you give, the more you receive. Another valuable lesson shared with his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren included, “Show me, don’t tell me.”
Philanthropic-driven, Milt always wanted the best for his community.
Throughout his life, even to the end, Milt kept a very strong faith. Always remaining positive, he felt incredibly blessed and grateful for the life he lived, the people he loved, and the community that shared such a special place in his heart.
His recognitions include receiving the Logansport Exchange Club’s “Book of Golden Deeds” award, Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year”, “Sagamore of the Wabash” conferred by Governor Frank O’Bannon and a story featured in a book written by Fox News Channel’s Neil Cavuto entitled, “More Than Money: True Stories of People Who Learned Life’s Ultimate Lesson.”
In the hardwood industry, he was CEO of Indiana Dimension, Inc.
