Eugene ‘Gene’ Ray Cole, 89, was welcomed home by the Lord on Sept. 29, 2026, in Wichita, Kan. He was born on Aug. 19, 1937, in Winfield, Kan., to William and Margaret (Wisner) Cole.

Gene married Donella French (Cole) on July 20, 1957 in Winfield, Kan. The couple decided to move to Great Bend, Kan. in the early 1960s for job opportunities. It was there he was hired as the Director of Economic Development commission impacting Great Bend growth and development earning him recognition awards such the Young American Award and Distinguished Service Awards and the Greater Great Bend Award. Later in his career he serves as Director of Business & Industry for Barton County Community College. In 1991, Gene and his wife re-located to Winfield at Cowley County Community College to develop training programs for GE, Boeing, and many local industries-partnerships that continue today.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Donella; four children, Denise Polt, Lisa Barton (Richard), Diane Watson, and Michael Cole; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and his cherished Bitsy.

Celebration of Life will be held on Oct. 24, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 8021 W. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67205.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 10, 2023