Had respect and maybe a little fear when he was my principal - 61-65. Thanks to his excellent leadership at GHS the educational standard was very high serving to give me and hundreds of other graduates a solid foundation for additional education and careers afterward. Thanks Mr. Cole
Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your dad. He was a force for great good in Garnett and will be missed.
I Didn't get the pleasure of knowing Claron very long, I was one of his Aides at Golden Heights. But From what I did get to know about him, and his family they all were very kind, and loving. And My thoughts and Prayers go out to all the family!
Lots of overnight stays, away football and basketball games, and horse shows. I spent quite a bit of time at the Cole house in my younger days. Consequently Mr. Cole was more of a friend than a principal to me when I was in high school. He was a special man and will be missed by many.
Claron you will be missed deeply.The Anderson boys and The Cole boys all grew up together.The stories I heard.You will always be remembered lovingly as "Stub". Speaking for the class of 1974 you will always be a memory in our hearts and you will be missed.
Claron was the principal my first year of teaching at Garnett High School. After our first football halftime he complimented the band during his Monday morning announcements. He also told me he was proud of us because he could recognize our performance of the National Anthem. I always found him to be a good and fair administrator and appreciated his support. When he retired, we knew his favorite song was the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and both the choir and band performed it to honor him. Yes, he will be remembered with fond admiration.
We are truly saddened by the passing of Claron. We know how much your Dad meant to all of you. He was such a strong role model and loyal man to his family, grandchildren and all his “animals�, which he loved so much. We will miss the fun-loving stories told by the grandchildren often. Our hope is you all find peace in knowing he lived a long happy life, full of these wonderful memories. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you.
With deepest sympathy,
Mr Cole was a fair principal. I remember when I started high school he told me once that I couldn't pull any pranks on him or come up with any new excuses because he had all ready been principal to four of my old siblings. At the end of the my high school year he shook my hand and said congratulations you did come up with some new tricks. He became a friend throughout the years. Last weekend was the last time I spoke with him. I said hello Claron how are you and he said I am tired. Thank you God for taking his suffering away. And Good-Bye to a special man rest in peace..
I always respected Mr. Cole. I got married between my junior and senior year. If I was absent, I had to bring a note from my husband. I have been married almost 42 years. I also am a member of the First Christian Church in Garnett. I asked Mr. Cole one day why he had my husband write me excuses from school. He replied."Someone had to write you an excuse." I said but you know that my husband would do it no matter what. He chuckled and said "I still had to have a note from someone.He was a fair man and always true to his convictions of what was wrong or right. I as a kid or an adult always looked-up to Mr. Cole. You have earned your rest.
I was so fortunate to have visited with Claron and Gary a few months ago in a restaurant in Garnett. Claron will always have my greatest respect as a teacher and a community leader. He will be sadly missed. My sympathy goes out to the Cole family’s.
Claron was my principal in highschool and then my boss as i returned to teach at Garnett. He always had my greatest respect. He treated everyone with equality and fairness. He will be sadly missed as he gave so much to education and community in Anderson County.
Claron was my principal in highschool and then my boss as i returned to teach at Garnett. He always had my greatest respect. He treated everyone with equality and fairness. He will be sadly missed as he gave so much to education and community in Anderson County.
Claron has always been a wonderful influence in my life. I have been honored to have him as a principal, a fellow Elder and Trustee at FCC, a fellow Mason, and most of all as a friend. I am a better person for having know Claron. Thank you for this and so much more.
Mark, Gary & Marilyn your dad and your mom also meant so much to me. I use to babysit for them when your dad played in the teachers band and he was a wonderful teacher also. He taught me how to study and did so much more to enrich my life.
Dear Mark, Gary, Marilyn,
Your dad meant so much in our lives. We are truly blessed and better individuals because he was our friend. I'm so glad I saw him yesterday. God Bless You All!
Peter and Theresa
