Larry "Happy" Cole (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas—Larry “Happy” Cole, 70, of Tulia, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Tulia.  Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Larry Cole was born on August 18, 1948 in Dimmitt, Texas to Claude and Katherine Cole. He later lived in Happy, Texas until he moved to Tulia in the 7th grade. His coach at Tulia couldn’t remember his name, so he started calling him “Happy” after the town he moved from. The name stuck, and he became known as “Happy” to everyone but his family. He attended WTSU and earned his B.S. in Education in 1970. He also received his M.Ed. in 1975 from WT. He married the love of his life, Kathy Whitehead on July 24, 1971. He became “Coach” Cole at Tulia ISD, serving as P.E., Health and Life Skills Teacher and boys and girls golf coach for 36 years. In 1998, he was recognized by the Texas High School Coaches Association for his outstanding achievement in the coaching profession for golf. “Happy” loved Tulia and its residents. After his retirement from teaching, he worked tirelessly to promote Tulia, and was recognized as the 2010 “Man of the Year” by the Tulia Chamber of Commerce. He was always willing to help with any community project, including the Harlem Ambassadors basketball game, 87 on 87 Yard Sale, and the Slow Pitch Softball League. In 2012, “Happy” came out of retirement to become the Executive Director of the Tulia Chamber of Commerce. He was instrumental in organizing many community functions during his seven years with the Chamber. In addition to his deep love for his wife and family, teaching, coaching and Tulia, he also loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He enjoyed collecting Cowboys memorabilia, meeting the players and spending Thanksgiving in Cowboy Stadium cheering for his team. He was also an avid golfer at Tule Lake Golf Club and can be remembered driving around the golf course with “Bear” (the golf course dog) in the front seat. “Happy” loved animals and always had rescue pets. He also enjoyed his chocolate-covered cinnamon rolls at the local donut shop. Larry “Happy” Cole was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Janice Cowart and Marjorie Alice Cole, a brother: Wayne Cole and his mother-in-law: Shirley Whitehead. He is survived by his wife: Kathy Cole of Tulia, his brother: Fred Cole and wife Charlene of Amarillo, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Kenny and Sharon Hughes of Plainview, his father-in-law: Wilton Whitehead of Tulia and six nieces and one nephew. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Tulia, Texas 79088. Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.