Mark Cole, age 79, of Shenandoah, Iowa, passed away at his home on Monday afternoon, January 23, 2023.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the First Christian Church in Garnett, KS. Mark’s family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday at the church. Inurnment with military honors will follow in the Garnett Cemetery.
Claron Mark Cole was born on May 5, 1943 in Garnett, KS, the son of Claron Glenn and Treva Rhue Hill Cole. Mark’s early life was spent in the Garnett community where he began his education and graduated from high school with the Class of 1961. During his school years he enjoyed playing trumpet in the high school band and competitively showed horses.
Following high school, Mark attended Emporia State University graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. He then went on to attend Washburn University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor as a member of Delta Theta Phi professional law fraternity. In 1986 Mark continued his education at the American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird School where he received a master’s degree.
On January 6, 1969, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served his country with pride during the Vietnam War. He obtained the rank of YN2, Yeoman, second class. During his service in Vietnam Mark earned the following awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, and Vietnam Campaign Medal, with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
On November 12, 1983, Mark was united in marriage to Karen Sue Bartol at Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, AR. Following their marriage, they made their home in Pittsburg, KS. The couple enjoyed 39 years of marriage.
During his working years Mark served as Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer of Commerce Bank of Kansas City from 1972-1978. He then transitioned in the same role to the Wichita branch from 1978-1980, then transferring to Pittsburg in 1980 where he continued to serve as Vice President and Trust Officer of City National Bank until 1985. Mark then became general counsel at Loy Law Firm in Pittsburg, where he founded his own investment firm, Thunderline Management Company in 1987.
Mark was active in the communities in which he resided. Giving back to his community through service was very important to him. He was a Mason, Shriner, Elks Member, served on both the USD 250 school board and was a member of the Public Library Board in Pittsburg. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and was an American Bar Association Member in Kansas and Missouri. Some of his interests outside of work included playing golf, traveling, and riding motorcycles. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the Hamm Radio.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Karen of Shenandoah, IA; daughters, Chelsea Curran, son-in-law, Joe, and their children, William and Cole of Celina, TX and Hilary Cole of Kansas City, KS; brother, Gary Cole of Oklahoma; sister, Marilyn Kohn of Illinois; Great-Aunt, Laverne Cole of Garnett; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Treva and Claron Cole, formerly of Garnett, KS.
