Ed & Sara Cole

Ed and Sara F. Cole, of Sunbeam Street, Alamogordo, NM, passed away within a week of each other. After 55 years of marriage and only apart a short time, they are now reunited together in Heaven. Sara F. Cole, 75, died Friday, May 1, 2015 and Ed Cole died Friday, May 8, 2015. A private family service will be held. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Sara F. Cole was born January 14, 1940 in Atchison, Kansas to Claude and Emma (Wohlgemuth) Neill. She spent most of her childhood in Enid, Oklahoma. Ed and Sara attended Enid High School and Phillips University. During their college time, Ed and Sara met and were married. Sara and Ed spent most of their married life in New Mexico, with the exception of two years in Germany as teachers for the American Army. They both pursued graduate degrees at Eastern New Mexico University. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother to her three children, Sara was a beloved school teacher for 30 years full-time, and another 20 years as a substitute. Many of her students will remember her because she made learning a fun and rewarding experience. Sara enjoyed traveling with her family, attending church activities, cooking delicious meals and desserts, and taking care of the many plants she grew in her sunroom. She was a wonderful listener and encourager and will be missed terribly by family and friends. We rejoice that although she battled pancreatic cancer, she had time to enjoy the love and care of so many friends and loved ones. Her spirit of joy and peace was an inspiration to everyone, even during her final weeks. God blessed her with a peaceful journey to her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her parents. Ed Cole was born in Joliet, Illinois on January 4, 1937 to Harley and Hazel (Murray) Cole. He grew up in Enid and lived there through his college years. Ed will be remembered for his many years as a Central Office Administrator for Alamogordo Public Schools and as an Alamogordo City Commissioner. He was an avid hiker and participated in the Bataan Memorial March numerous times as well as hiking clubs and Rails to Trails. He was a long term officer at Rotary Club and an active member of Grace United Methodist Church. Ed was a member of Literary Society and a frequent patron of Alamogordo libraries. He was a wonderful and devoted husband, father, and grandpa. Ed's language of love was service to others, and he showed that to family and friends throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ed and Sara are survived by their daughters: Rebecca Johnson and husband, Bryan of Houston, TX, Gretchen Guitard and husband, Steve of Jefferson City, Missouri; son, Lyle Cole and wife, Kathy of Carlsbad, NM; grandchildren: Rachel Johnson, Kathleen Johnson, Savanna Guitard, Arielle Guitard, Marshall Guitard, Brent Cole, Brad Cole and Ben Cole; Sara's brothers: Larry Neill, John Neill and wife, Barbara; Sara's sister, Elaine Davis; Ed's sisters: Mildred Bockelman and husband, Larry, Mary Schultz, Ruth Lucas and husband, Jerry; Ed's brother, Reverend Paul Cole and wife, Margaret and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to Landsun Homes in Carlsbad, NM, Caring Hands Fund, 2002 Westridge Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220; Grace United Methodist Church Alamogordo, NM, 1206 Greenwood Lane, Alamogordo, NM 88310; or Young Life (younglife.org).