Merle Thomas Cole

Merle T. Cole of Daniels, age 78, died on February 5, 2025. he was the son of Carlton E. and Naomi R. Cole of Beaver, WV.

Mr. Cole returned to the area upon retirement in 2011. A Shady Spring High School graduate, Mr. Cole, received a bachelor's degree from Marshall University in 1969. He was briefly employed by the Wyoming County Welfare Department prior to entering the Federal civil service, where he pursued a career in personnel management for the next 42 years. He worked for the U.S. Army Materiel Command, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Air Force System Command before joining the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Beltsville, Maryland, in 1978.

Mr. Cole held a variety of field and staff assignments before being chosen to head the ARS Research Position Evaluation Staff in 1995. In that position, he influenced the research position evaluation standards and practices of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and several other Federal agencies, resulting in an, "impact-of-the-incumbent" promotion, a rare occurrence in Federal administration occupations. Under his leadership, the staff also won an ARS Bronze Support Award for Excellence.

Between 1985 and 1994, Mr. Cole held a commission in the Maryland State Guard. He served as battalion and brigade public affairs officer, brigade special staff officer, course director and executive officer of the Training Command at Fort George G. Meade, and State Guard historian. His state award included the service, commendation and meritorious service medals, and spot promotion. He attained the grade of lieutenant colonel before leaving the Guard to pursue other interests.

Mr. Cole's avocation was military, naval, maritime and police history. He published five books and monographs, and over 120 articles in international, national, state and local referred journals on these subjects. He was designated, Research Associate (Military History) by the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland. Mr. Cole was requested to contribute several articles to the centennial history of Fort Mead. He also edited and co-authored the only comprehensive history of Special Forces units in West Virginia Army National Guard.

Mr. Cole helped create the official agency history website for the West Virginia State police; was invited to write the state police entry for the West Virginia Encyclopedia (2006), lectured on the topic at the State Archives in 2011, and published, A Century Ago: Creating a Constabulary for West Virginia, in 2016. Consistent with his interest, he led in recognition of the State Police centennial during 2019. Cole dedicated a historical marker at the old barracks and radio station on South Eisenhower Drive in Beckley, lectured on early State Police presence in Raleigh County and authored a series of articles in Goldenseal magazine. He was also asked to prepare column inscriptions for the new State Police Museum, and to write an article about the State Police participation of the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain for a Goldenseal centennial edition. Cole was active in the Raleigh County Historical Society, suggesting several new events, updating the constitution and by-laws, and serving as manager for the society's Cartography Club operations and historical marker program he initiated in 2016. Over 25 markers were installed in the county under his leadership.

Mr. Cole was selected as a West Virginia History Hero in 2017 for his contributions in preserving state law enforcement and military history and was included as a Fellow Company Military Historians in 2018. In 2020, he revived a, Daughters of the American Revolution History Preservation Medal for his long-term contributions to state and county history. For Contributions to preserving the history of the Special Forces Regiment; he was made an honorary member of Special Forces Association Chapter 68 (Kenova).  Cole was also a charter member of the John Beckley Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.

Mr. Cole was survived by his sister and brother in law, Patricia and Donald Davis, of Daniels; a niece, Julie Davis, of Beckley; a niece, and her son, Lisa Clark and Tyler Clark, of Princeton; as well as many cousins.

The family would like to thank his dedicated caregivers; Nea, Toe, Tasha, Nina, Michele and Stephanie.

Private online condolences  and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.