Mt. Vernon, Missouri - Eldon Cole of Mt. Vernon died April 17 of heart failure, encircled by family. While he lived a lifetime with a wonky cardiac rhythm inside, his was a caring and strong heart outside. Passed over during Selective Service registration upon discovery of a heart murmur, his mother apologized, "I guess I didn't put everything together quite right." Actually, she put everything together just fine.

He was born Sept. 14, 1940, on the family farm near Potosi, Missouri, to Willard LeClere Cole and Mary Bollinger Cole, and was the younger brother of sister Genelle Cole. He loved farm life, playing with a cardboard farm set, corralling sticks as an imaginary cow herd, and running rabbits through the hollers with his favorite beagles.

In 1958 he enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and completed bachelor's and master's degrees in animal husbandry. In February 1964, Eldon began a 58-year career with MU Extension, starting as a Balanced Farming Agent in Marshall, Missouri.

During college, he was introduced to Charlotte DeEtte Godfrey of Columbia. They grew closer over time and married Aug. 28, 1965. Newlywed years in Marshall brought the first of four children, and in 1968 they relocated to Southwest Missouri, where Eldon became a livestock specialist for Lawrence and surrounding counties. In Mt. Vernon they went about the business of life and work, adding three more kids to their family.

Instead of hobbies, Eldon spent his time serving others. He patiently and faithfully supported children and grandchildren (and the children of others) in sport, music and academic interests. He cheered on Mt. Vernon High School sports, was loyal to Mizzou football and basketball, and loved Cardinals baseball. He grew and gave away bushels of corn and tomatoes, raised rampant marigolds and zinnias, and hand-cranked hundreds of gallons of ice cream over dozens of summers. He contributed time and talent to youth education through 4-H and FFA, his church community, and to agriculture through organizations like the Missouri Cattlemen's Association and its Southwest chapter.

When someone tells you they love their work, it can sound forced; but when Eldon Cole said it, it was sincere. His impact will quietly persist through his work with programs like the Southwest Missouri All-Breed Performance Tested Bull Sale, Missouri Steer Feedout, and Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program, which he helped launch.

Eldon's memory lives on through countless friends and colleagues, and through his family: wife Charlotte of Mt. Vernon; son Scott Cole and husband Tim Owens of Kansas City; daughter Deanna McElveen and husband Randy of Mt. Vernon, granddaughter Kayleigh McElveen and fiancé Cody Schultz of Lincoln, Nebr., and granddaughter Amelia McElveen of Austin, Texas; son Brian Cole and wife Melissa, grandsons Riley and Alan, and granddaughter Leyla, all of Columbia, Missouri; and daughter Kelly Warzinik and husband Jason, and granddaughters Zoe and Sadie, also of Columbia.

Deepest thanks go to so many people for your kind support, especially over recent weeks. Special gratitude to members of the Mercy health care system in Southwest Missouri, and our immeasurable appreciation to everyone on the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center team for your love, compassion and care for Eldon, for Charlotte, and for our entire family.

Memorial contributions can be considered for organizations with missions near to Eldon's heart, including First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon, the University of Missouri Southwest Research Center, the MU Livestock Judging Team, and Southwest Missouri Cattlemen's Association scholarship fund.

To celebrate and honor his life, an informal gathering will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday April 22, 2022, at the University of Missouri Southwest Research, Extension & Education Center, Mount Vernon. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Mount Vernon First Presbyterian Church under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Inurnment will take place at the Ozark Prairie Presbyterian "Brick" Church in June.

Eldon's brow would wrinkle about now at the idea of publishing so many words focused on him. A genuinely humble person, those who knew him probably noticed his typical choice of "we" instead of "I". He credited others first, and had an understated, profound impact on many. A yellow legal pad and ever-sharp pencil symbolized Eldon, and his signature move was sly dry wit - imperceptible if you weren't paying close attention. It probably came from his mom (who really did put everything together just fine) and his children and grandchildren hope they can continue that legacy.

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com