Donald Grove Cole, 80, of Denton passed away on February 12, 2018 in Denton. He was born on December 6, 1937 in Branch, Michigan to Cecil and Marjorie (Taylor) Cole.

At age 17, Don joined the Air Force. He did his basic training in Illinois and traveled to Okinawa on an aircraft carrier. Finally, he was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka Kansas where he met and married Martha Hite in 1958.

After the service, Don worked for Land Air Inc as an aircraft mechanic where he traveled from place to place. He worked for TWA where he started flight training at Bakers Flight School in Kansas City on a GI Bill. He worked for American Airlines in Tulsa Oklahoma and attended college at the University of Tulsa. From there, he moved the family to Dallas where he built up his flight hours and earned his twin engine rating while teaching SMU students as a flight instructor. Don spent the last 18 years of his airline career at Braniff Airlines where he began as an aircraft mechanic and worked his way up to Captain, flying international routes. Three of his children followed their father into the airline industry, Michelle, as a flight attendant, Max as a Captain for United and Mike, who worked in air traffic control.

Don's second career was as a cattle rancher. He owned a large ranch in Lake Texoma where he raised and sold Simmental cattle. As a rancher, Don traveled the world and served as president of the American Simmental Association.

Don was an avid sports fan. His favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He owned season tickets for both teams for many years. He was a proud father as he watched his daughter, Michelle, cheer on the sidelines as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. He never missed a game and attended several Super Bowls with his son Mark and friends, the Bahnsens.

Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha, of Denton, daughter Michelle Scribner (Steve) and children Cole, Collin and Kelsey, daughter Cheryl Cole, son Mike Cole (Kris) and children Ashley Birchfield and Travis, son Mark Cole (Linda) and children Justin and Taylor, son Max Cole (Kellie) and children Austin and Carter, and son Mitchell Cole (Martina) and children Jason, Cristina, Christopher, Cassandra, Casey and Carolina, sister Jane Grove of Michigan and four great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father and by his brother, Harlen Cole.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 10-11 AM at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton. Following visitation, a memorial service will begin at 11AM in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors.