Michael Cole

Michael DeWare Cole, 68, of Brenham, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 17, 2011, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born January 6, 1943 and raised in Brenham by his parents, Joe Robert Cole and Rosemary DeWare Cole. Mike graduated from Brenham High School in 1961 and went on to Texas Christian University where he played football. He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University in 1967. During summers in high school and college, he worked in the pipeline industry. After graduation from Texas A&M, Michael continued his career in the industry working with Rowan Drilling, Michael Curran and Associates, Whitaker Pipeline Constructors, Inc., Coates Construction Company, Reading & Bates Construction Company, H&K Construction, Bechtel International, Saudi Arabian Parsons LTD, Gulf Interstate Engineering Company, Blinn College, and ETD. He was a key part of major projects in the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Mike worked for ARB, Inc. since 1997 as a Division Manager and International Superintendent. He will be greatly missed by co-workers and friends around the world. Mike was a founder of the pipeline industry½s Martini International Golf Tournament, a member of the Brenham Country Club, Elks Lodge Brenham and Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He was an avid golfer and gardener. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Charles Allen and Bertha Schuerenberg DeWare and John and Mae Cole, uncles Charles DeWare, Jr. and Henry England, and aunt Lottie England. He was adored by his family, and they remained his top priority at all times. Mike is survived by his wife of 33 years, Cathy, and their children Jessica Cole Buchanan and her husband Dee of Alexandria, Virginia; Amanda Carter McVean and husband Jeff of Boerne and son Matthew Carter of Houston; grandchildren: Rosemary Catherine Buchanan, Carter Houston McVean and Brookshire Pipes McVean; brother Patrick Cole and wife Judith Cole; niece Lindsey Cole McKean and family; nephews Jamie Cole, Travis Cole and Dylan Cole; aunt Millie Schaer and uncle Dick Cole. A celebration of Mike½s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at St. Peter½s Episcopal Church, 2310 Airline Drive, Brenham, TX. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Peters Episcopal Church, Hospice Brazos Valley, or Brenham State School Volunteer Services State Council. Honorary pallbearers are James and Sue Coates, Alvin and Judee Schroeder, James and Maria Roberts, Thomas Murski, Mike Clowers, Ann Lemm Haigh and Scott Summers. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. 979836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.