Zane Gray Cole April 14, 1947 - July 1, 2019  

Obituary for Zane Gray Cole

Zane Gray Cole, 72, was born in Roswell on April 14, 1947, and passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019. Zane was the son of Viola Bell Gray and Ernest Ray Cole, both of whom preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by brothers, Alanson Ray Cole, Alvie Cole, and Bob Cole, along with two sisters, Maybell Ferguson, and Fay Cole.

In 1978, Zane married Linda Fay Stacy (Lunsford). He was a wonderful Father to her son, Darrell Lee Stacy, and their son, Zane “Buddy” Gray Cole, II. Surviving him are his wife, Linda; Son, Darrell and wife Patti of Roswell; Son, Zane and wife Rebecka of Belfast, Maine; brothers, Bill Cole of Roswell; Ben Cole and wife Linda of Roswell; David Cole; sisters, Belva Cole of Arizona; Mary Gilcrease and husband Calvin of Alaska; Rose Sample of Roswell; grandchildren, Tomara Whitcamp and husband Taylor of Roswell; Tyler Stacy of Seattle, Washington; Aaron Cole, Zane Gray Cole III, Jeremiah Cole, and Benjamin Milliken of Maine; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Whitcamp of Roswell; and numerous extended family members, nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

Zane graduated from Goddard High School in 1966. He was drafted and inducted into the United States Army on November 18, 1966, and Honorably Discharged on November 15, 1968. He was a dog handler and point man for his unit, and earned 3 Bronze Service Stars during his time in Vietnam. He worked as a maintenance technician for many years, first at Glover’s Meat Packing Plant, then Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, and finished his working career at the Sunset Apartments in Roswell.

Zane was a very generous and friendly guy to everyone he met. He was a dedicated family man, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being outdoors - passing on those interests to his Sons. He will be dearly missed by all. The Family especially thanks his close friends, Ralph and Vivian Flores and their family for staying so close to him through the years. They also wish to thank the caregivers he had during his illness – the VA Doctors and all the VA staff in both Artesia and Albuquerque; his VA Nurse, Ronda Martinez; and his Home Health Aide, Maria Gonzalez. Also, thank you to First Baptist Church for their help with the services.

A viewing will be held at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm for family and friends who wish to pay their last respects. Graveside services will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10:00 am at General Douglas L. McBride Veterans Cemetery on Southeast Main Street (South Park Cemetery,) Pastor Aaron Colyer of First Baptist Church presiding, with a reception afterward at the church, 500 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Roswell.

Pallbearers will be Sons, Darrell Stacy, Zane “Buddy” Cole II; Grandson, Tyler Stacy; Brother-in-law, K.C. Coggins; Great-Nephew, Adam McClelland; and Best Friend, Ralph Flores.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his brothers, Ben, Bill, and David.

Celebrate Zane’s life by visiting www.andersonbethany.com to offer a memory or expression of sympathy for his family.

Zane’s tribute was written in his honor by his loving family.