Bobby Lee Cole obituary: A Pawhuska native who helped pave northeastern Oklahoma

Bobby Lee Cole passed from this life on Satuuday, July 23, 2011 at his home in Cleveland at the age of 66. 

Bobby was born in Pawhuska on Aug. 7, 1944. He was the son of Leroy and Arlene Cole.  Bobby was raised and attended school in Pawhuska, graduating with the Class of 1962.

Upon completion of his education, Bobby began a long career in waste and wastewater improvements and highway construction.  He worked for many years on wastewater improvement projects in Vinita, and later was employed in Bartlesville as part of a Sanitary Sewer Line Repair and Manhole Rebhabilitation project.   Later he became involved in Roadway and Highway Construction, working on numerous projects throughout Northeastern Oklahoma. He had approximately 20 years of experience with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Division 8. Bobby was been employed with Benchmark Construction Services for the past 12 years and was preparing to work on a new project on Highway 412 at the time of his passing.

 On July 5, 1977, Bobby was united in marriage to Sheila Iness Toothman   in Tulsa. Bobby and Sheila made their initial home in Cleveland for nearly five years and then following Bobby’s work traveled to many places including North Little Rock, Arkansas and Big Cabin, Oklahoma prior to returning to Cleveland in 2000.

 Sheila was the love of his life and he enjoyed spending every spare minute with her. Sheila preceded him in death on May 16, 2010. 

 Bobby is survived  by his two children Michael Cole and his wife Lisa of Tulsa, , Bobby Bills and his wife Stephanie of Oklahoma City, ; one sister Brenda Downs and her husband Leroy of Broken Arrow, four grandchildren Phoenix and Christopher Bills, Brett Gunzenheiser, Holly Gunzenheiser, four step children Karen Froese and her husband Lonnie of Inola, Oklahoma, Carl Toothman of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Tony Toothman of Corpus Christi, Texas, Lisa Weldon and her husband Todd of Cleveland; eight step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren and a host of other relatives.  In addition to his wife Sheila, Bobby was preceded in death by his parents.