Douglas Cole, age 51, of Hondo, known to his friends as "Maverick", passed away Monday, July 8, 2013, at the family farm. The second son of George Lyndal and Velda Ann (Wipff) Cole, Doug was born July 26, 1961, in Kerrville and resided in Boerne until 1965 when his family moved to Hondo to live in the country. After his father passed away when Doug was four, his grandpa, who lived down the road, became a father figure as did his Uncle Dallas of San Antonio. Doug loved going fishing with his grandpa and hunting with his uncle. Doug enjoyed participating in First Baptist Church's Sunbeam program, 4-H, Boy Scouts and AKC Dog Confirmation. He was a lifeguard at camps and at the Hondo swimming pool. In middle school, he played drums in the band. In high school, he participated in football, basketball, baseball and Ag. After school, he worked at HEB. He graduated from high school in 1980 and then worked with Ray Jones in the oilfields. On Oct. 17, 1983, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, following in his father's footsteps. He graduated from basic training, receiving the award for outstanding new recruit, in San Diego, CA. He served three years active duty on the USS Truxton, the missile cruiser that guarded the first aircraft carrier to cross the Suez Canal during the Libyan Crisis. He served three more years in the reserves and was honorably discharged May 19, 1989 with an E4 rank. Doug returned to Texas, working for HEB Warehouse, Alamo Water Refineries, R&M Water and Watts Water, where he was currently employed. He was an outdoorsman all his life, always busy doing something on the farm. He loved sports, participating in an adult baseball team where he was nicknamed "Old Man", but was admired for being one of the best players. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting and range shooting. He loved spending time with his friends and fmaily and was always doing for others. He loved to joke around and make people laugh. He also loved children and his pets. Doug had a great love and respect for his country and his fellow military brothers and sisters and enjoyed attending air shows.He is preceded in death by his father and grandparents, Steve and Della Wipff and George and Ruth Cole. He is survived by his mother, Velda Wipff Cole; brother, Chris Cole; sister, Valerie Cole, all of Hondo; and nieces, Kristen Cole of Lakehills and Hollie Perez of Pleasanton. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2013, at First Baptist Church, followed by interment at Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section. Bearers were Randy Routh, Gary Cole, Keith Cole, Alexus Neuman, Guy Cole and David Joynar. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675, or Disabled American Veterans, P. O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.