Earnest Barton Cole

Earnest Cole, 69, of Gatesville passed away at home on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 PM Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville with burial following at Restland Cemetery. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Earnest was born on January 28, 1947 to the late Homer and Leoma Sutter Cole in Lampasas, Texas. He attended school in Lampasas and joined the United States Army in 1967. He served for 2 years before working on Fort Hood as a Civil Services Employee. Earnest married Joy Lindsey on November 23, 1970 in Lampasas before moving to Gatesville. He worked on Fort Hood mostly as a fireman from 1975 until 1997. He was also a volunteer fireman for the city of Gatesville. After his retirement from Civil Service, Earnest worked from 2003 until 2010 at the Gatesville I.S.D. maintenance department. He was a member of Westview Missionary Baptist Church where he was the assistant music director and served as a deacon. Earnest was also a member of the Gatesville Masonic Lodge #197, Waco Scottish Rite and Karem Shrine. He will be remembered for his laughter and jokes and for being a faithful man to his family and to the Lord. Earnest was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Jerry Lindsey and a niece, Shelly Lindsey. Earnest is survived by his wife, Joy Cole; son, Rusty Cole and wife, Mindy; daughter, Julie Pearce and husband, John, daughter, Misty Ruff; brother, Wayne Cummins and wife Sue; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe Edward and Jeanette Lindsey; brother-in-law, Terry Lindsey and wife, Debbie; nine grandchildren, one great grandson and numerous nephews and nieces.