Visitation for Retired SFC Robert Forest Cole 73 of Killeen, TX will be held Saturday, July 6, 2024, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen,TX.  Interment will be held at a later date at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Mr. Cole passed away at the age of 73 on June 27, 2024, at the Veterans Hospital in Temple, TX. He suffered a long battle with many health issues. He was born July 29, 1950, in Fort Campbell, KY.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carol; his daughter, Jennifer; son, James; and his stepchildren James Harris, Robert Harris, and Mary Zimmerman. He was blessed with two granddaughters and very recently a great granddaughter, an additional six step great granddaughters, one step grandson, and six step great grands. He is also survived by his two beloved sisters, Isabella Palm, and Christina Rendon. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

After graduating from high school in Montebello , CA, he joined the United States Army, where he trained as an Air Traffic Controller. He has served in Vietnam, did two years in Korea, did two tours of Alaska and finally ended in Fort Hood, TX where he retired. After retirement, he tried several different jobs, until he found the one that suited him. He was hired as a Public Safety Dispatcher for the Reagan National Airport Police, where he remained for 13 years when his health issues forced an early retirement.

Robert and Carol spent 25 years in Spotsylvania, VA before returning to Killeen, TX to be closer to family.