COLE, Claude A. Passed away in Santa Rosa on Monday, August 12, 2002.

Dearly beloved husband of the late Lola Cole; beloved father of Stephen Cole and his wife Marylyn of Dana Point, CA and Claudine Trangsrud of Windsor; dear father-in-law of the late Thomas Trangsrud; adored grandfather of five; great grandfather of seven and great, great grandfather of three.

Claude served in the US Army where he trained as a meteorologist before entering a 41 year career with the US Weather Bureau. He was assigned to Honolulu in 1924 where he became interested in Ham Radio and then was transferred to Los Angeles in 1927 where he was assigned to a specialized team called the Fruit Frost Service. In that capacity, he provided the farmers in the San Gabriel Valley with weather information specific to their region.

He also served the Forestry Department during the summer, monitoring wind patterns during fires. His passion for Ham Radio was reignited and he became W6YCT in 1955. Claude was a life member of NARFE Chapter No. 53, Santa Rosa Lodge #57, F& A.M., Royal Arch Masons Chapter #45 of Santa Rosa, Scottish Rite Bodies of Santa Rosa, Luther Burbank Branch #17 of SIRS, the Society of Wireless Pioneers, the Quarter Century Wireless Association, the Pacific Amateur Radio Guild, the Morse Telegraph Club and the Amateur Radio Relay League.

A native of Smithfield, Ohio, age 97. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Monday, August 18, 2002 at 1:00 P.M. at DANIELS CHAPEL OF THE ROSES, 1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817

Published Online in the Press Democrat on Aug. 18, 2002