BassFan Ed Walker of Alabama passed along news of the death of Erwin Cole, a Bassmaster Tour competitor in the 1970s and '80s who later founded a company (Erwin Cole Enterprises) that supplies acrylic and composite parts to dozens of boat companies, including the major bass boat manufacturers.
Cole, who was 72, competed in many Rayovac Series and BFL events in recent years. Walker said that he and wife Martha, who recently celebrated 50 years of marriage, were packed and ready to leave for next week's Lake Okeechobee Rayovac from their home in Murfreesboro, Tenn. when he died suddenly.
Cole was the 2nd-place finisher in the 1979 Bassmaster Florida Invitational at the St. Johns River and formerly held the Tennessee record for the largest spotted bass.
"Early in B.A.S.S. history Erwin fished with guys like Stan Sloan, Don Butler and Jack Wingate and knew all of them personally," Walker said. "He told me a story of how he and Johnny Morris helped pull someone from a boating accident from frigid waters in a B.A.S.S. tournament back in the '80s."
Services will be conducted at Woodfin Memorial Chapel (1488 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro). Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the funeral set for 11 a.m. Saturday.
