Virgil Eugene Cole

Virgil “Gene” Cole passed away peacefully at the Hospice of Brazos Valley in College Station Texas, following a brief illness unrelated to COVID. As a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, his inurnment will occur at the Houston National Cemetery. A private ceremony with family and friends will be held on site. Arrangements are being made by Callaway-Jones Funeral Home of Bryan, Texas.

Gene was a native son of Texas born in Wichita Falls as the only child of George Dewey Cole and Clara Inez (Van Horn) Cole. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1967 and then volunteered to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard. While stationed in New Orleans, he supported the UCGS cutter White Alder. In 1968, the ship tragically collided with another vessel with a loss of 17 of the 20 crewmen aboard. Gene was working ashore and his life was spared, but the experience remained a painful memory. What sustained him was belief and practice of the core Masonic values of reverence for God, devotion to country, integrity, justice, tolerance, and service to humanity. For 26 years of his career, Gene worked in the pioneering medical imaging division of General Electric. He spent many of those years designing, installing, and servicing cardiac catheterization labs. As an expert in the emerging technologies of MRI and CAT scanning, Gene traveled the world installing these machines in hospitals located in such places as Prague, Stockholm, Madrid, Teheran, and major cities throughout the United States. The devices he installed and maintained have spared countless lives and prevented much suffering. Gene took his time in finding a wife and married Patricia (Steves) Cole in 1977. He remained devoted to her for the rest of his life. In retirement, they travelled around – living abroad in Ecuador and exploring the southwestern states in their recreational vehicle.

Gene will be remembered by friends and family by his ready laugh and indefatigable sense of humor. His skill in technology became a passion for photography and he especially enjoyed capturing images of wildlife in the natural surroundings. He also delighted in design and construction projects and his outdoor Christmas light display won a town award. Gene loved to share his knowledge and was a mentor to many who followed in his technical field. He also taught engineering fundamentals at community college.

Gene is survived by his wife Patricia Cole of College Station, Texas; his stepson Derek Schwarz of San Francisco, California; his brother and sister-in-law, Rory and Roslyn Steves of Mentor, Ohio; and his cousins, Betty Zimmerman and Milton Langston of Abilene, Texas.

All are welcome to view this photo slideshow tribute to Gene’s life.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating in Gene’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children. As a Master Mason and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, this is an organization he supported and cared about deeply.