Joe Welson Cole

Joe Weldon Cole, 87, of Hawthorne died at his home surrounded by his family on June 30. He was born on October 26, 1926 in Mart, Texas to Get and Veronie Cole. Joe moved to Hawthorne in 1952 from Ft. Worth, Texas.  He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister from 1989 to 1991, Joe was a member of the Kiwanis Club and he was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, for whom, in 1988, he sold more raffle tickets than anyone in the State of Nevada. Joe was an adult GED graduate of Mineral County High School and managed the Tigers Little League baseball team in the 1960’s.

Upon moving to Hawthorne, Joe went to work at the Hawthorne Naval Ammunition Base as a painter.   He was one of the lucky men who loved his work and would paint commercially on his own time.  He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps.  In 1967 Joe opened the Snack Shack in Babbitt, giving the local kids a place to gather, eat, dance and have a good time. Sometimes, on special days, you might even get Joe out on the dance floor.

Joe Cole was preceded in death by his parents, Get and Veronie Cole and brothers: J.V. Cole, Lonzie Cole and Birdett Cole. He is survived by his loving family: Wife: Ruby M. Cole, Son: Billy R. Cole and Daughter: Gwen M. Cole, all of Hawthorne and Daughter Regina Harris of Houston, Texas; Brother: Kenneth Cole of Seagraves, Texas, Sisters: Maple Lee Williams, Zelma Williams, and Shirley Cleveland, all of Lubbock, Texas, Erma Jean Cole of Seagraves, Texas and Myrtle Cole of Brownsville, Texas; two grandchildren: William Edward Carter and Isiaih Ray Cole and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on at a later date.  Notice of service time and date will be printed in a later edition of this paper.

Services are under the direction of Gunter’s Funeral Home.