A visit with Cole

[fred bentivegna]

Cole is gone. I just got a text message from Larry Schwartz. He said Cole passed this morning. Later old pal.

Beard

 

[onepocket]

Sad news

Sad news

I just got very sad news from Cole's family. He passed peacefully this morning in the close company of his loved ones. I will pass on memorial information as soon as it is available because I know we have a lot of Cole friends on OnePocket.org.

Rest in Peace, Cole Dickson

 

[mr3cushion]

"It's been a extremely sad last 9 months in the pool & billiard industry with the loss of many old and too young of player's.

As I myself am rapidly approaching 70, I feel an urgent need to finish some unfinished business in my life. Lets say some kind of "last hurrah"!

My thoughts and prayers go out to Cole's family.

"See yah when I see yah, pal"!

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion

 

[SJDinPHX]

It certainly has been a bad year, or so, for losing some of pool's greatest names Wade/Billy(Boom-Boom), Grady, Ronnie, (sure I'm leaving out some) and now Cole..These strolls down 'memory lane', are getting harder and harder to take..Cole just seems to be too young, to be gone..RIP bud

Here is an old thread from '08, which is mostly about Cole..Also includes a few pics of him >http://www.onepocket.org/forum/showpost.php?p=16454

Also this rare Accustat vid, that Calired posted, of him playing 1P with David Matlock..in '93..It may be the only one ?
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euMiT_34rxE[/ame]

 

[usblues]

I've seen....

I've seen....

....this before,looks like a few grand in each pocket.They build them strong in the Bay Area,looks like he had it all.Reminds me of some other champions,via condios,James

 

[lll]

rest in peace cole
i didnt see you play
but this youtube is always in my memory of you
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiBM6JLcmK4[/ame]

 

[Mary Kenniston]

It seems like just when the sadness starts to ease, we lose another one – another legend. I've been told by numerous friends that Cole Dickson lost his battle with liver cancer this morning.

Cole had already "semi-retired" from pool by the time I hit Southern California in 1980 so, unfortunately, I missed Cole's era. I heard plenty of stories though - every time I heard the name Cole Dickson, it was automatic to hear people describe him the same way. "Hippie Cole," flashy, brash, high rollin', hilarious, straight shootin', no fear...

Although I occasionally saw him around at the various events of the day, I never really knew him. It wasn't until I had Cue-Topia that I got to know Cole. I was up on a step ladder, wrestling a heavy drill & trying to secure some framed photos to the wall when I heard someone bark, "Geez! What the hell are you doing? Gimme that!" I turned around & Cole snatched the drill like it was a marshmallow out of my hands & ZZZ...ZZZ screwed the frame into the wall. Cole turned around & hollered at my partner, "C'mon, give me a C-note! We're going to get her a drill she can handle without a forklift!" Five minutes later, we're in my car on our way to the Makita store...

It was the days of the cheap plane tickets & although Cole lived in Montana, he came down to Vegas frequently. He'd fly through the door & immediately, the place lit up. Cole was one of the few people who could do that. Always laughing - always teasing. After a while, he'd wink & say, "Mare - you hungry?!!!"

I'd dutifully get a rack of balls, we'd go to the table & play for dinner. Race to 9 - I got the 7 & the breaks. Never won...lost every time we played. 9-8. I played my ass off, he was stalling, I was being hustled, I knew it, he knew it & I loved every minute of it. I know I got way the best of it...I got to play with, learn from & see the occasional glimmer of greatness & then, dinner & world-class conversation.

It was during those dinner conversations that Cole talked often about his girls...Christine & Susan - know that he loved you & was so proud of you.

I last talked with Cole around the beginning of March. I had been told he was very sick & I knew it was probably the last time we'd talk - I think he knew it too. Even so, he was the same old Cole – facing the toughest opponent of his life – with humor, bravely & without fear. RIP, my friend.


Ronnie Allen, Cole Dickson & Larry Schwartz - '88 Cue-Topia - Las Vegas, NV

 

[SJDinPHX]

It seems like just when the sadness starts to ease, we lose another one – another legend. I've been told by numerous friends that Cole Dickson lost his battle with liver cancer this morning.

Cole had already "semi-retired" from pool by the time I hit Southern California in 1980 so, unfortunately, I missed Cole's era. I heard plenty of stories though - every time I heard the name Cole Dickson, it was automatic to hear people describe him the same way. "Hippie Cole," flashy, brash, high rollin', hilarious, straight shootin', no fear...

Although I occasionally saw him around at the various events of the day, I never really knew him. It wasn't until I had Cue-Topia that I got to know Cole. I was up on a step ladder, wrestling a heavy drill & trying to secure some framed photos to the wall when I heard someone bark, "Geez! What the hell are you doing? Gimme that!" I turned around & Cole snatched the drill like it was a marshmallow out of my hands & ZZZ...ZZZ screwed the frame into the wall. Cole turned around & hollered at my partner, "C'mon, give me a C-note! We're going to get her a drill she can handle without a forklift!" Five minutes later, we're in my car on our way to the Makita store...

It was the days of the cheap plane tickets & although Cole lived in Montana, he came down to Vegas frequently. He'd fly through the door & immediately, the place lit up. Cole was one of the few people who could do that. Always laughing - always teasing. After a while, he'd wink & say, "Mare - you hungry?!!!"

I'd dutifully get a rack of balls, we'd go to the table & play for dinner. Race to 9 - I got the 7 & the breaks. Never won...lost every time we played. 9-8. I played my ass off, he was stalling, I was being hustled, I knew it, he knew it & I loved every minute of it. I know I got way the best of it...I got to play with, learn from & see the occasional glimmer of greatness & then, dinner & world-class conversation.

It was during those dinner conversations that Cole talked often about his girls...Christine & Susan - know that he loved you & was so proud of you.

I last talked with Cole around the beginning of March. I had been told he was very sick & I knew it was probably the last time we'd talk - I think he knew it too. Even so, he was the same old Cole – facing the toughest opponent of his life – with humor, bravely & without fear. RIP, my friend.


Ronnie Allen, Cole Dickson & Larry Schwartz - '88 Cue-Topia - Las Vegas, NV

Great tribute Mary..Sounds like you got to know him pretty well..

 

[oldspurguy]

It seems like just when the sadness starts to ease, we lose another one – another legend. I've been told by numerous friends that Cole Dickson lost his battle with liver cancer this morning.

Cole had already "semi-retired" from pool by the time I hit Southern California in 1980 so, unfortunately, I missed Cole's era. I heard plenty of stories though - every time I heard the name Cole Dickson, it was automatic to hear people describe him the same way. "Hippie Cole," flashy, brash, high rollin', hilarious, straight shootin', no fear...

Although I occasionally saw him around at the various events of the day, I never really knew him. It wasn't until I had Cue-Topia that I got to know Cole. I was up on a step ladder, wrestling a heavy drill & trying to secure some framed photos to the wall when I heard someone bark, "Geez! What the hell are you doing? Gimme that!" I turned around & Cole snatched the drill like it was a marshmallow out of my hands & ZZZ...ZZZ screwed the frame into the wall. Cole turned around & hollered at my partner, "C'mon, give me a C-note! We're going to get her a drill she can handle without a forklift!" Five minutes later, we're in my car on our way to the Makita store...

It was the days of the cheap plane tickets & although Cole lived in Montana, he came down to Vegas frequently. He'd fly through the door & immediately, the place lit up. Cole was one of the few people who could do that. Always laughing - always teasing. After a while, he'd wink & say, "Mare - you hungry?!!!"

I'd dutifully get a rack of balls, we'd go to the table & play for dinner. Race to 9 - I got the 7 & the breaks. Never won...lost every time we played. 9-8. I played my ass off, he was stalling, I was being hustled, I knew it, he knew it & I loved every minute of it. I know I got way the best of it...I got to play with, learn from & see the occasional glimmer of greatness & then, dinner & world-class conversation.

It was during those dinner conversations that Cole talked often about his girls...Christine & Susan - know that he loved you & was so proud of you.

I last talked with Cole around the beginning of March. I had been told he was very sick & I knew it was probably the last time we'd talk - I think he knew it too. Even so, he was the same old Cole – facing the toughest opponent of his life – with humor, bravely & without fear. RIP, my friend.


Ronnie Allen, Cole Dickson & Larry Schwartz - '88 Cue-Topia - Las Vegas, NV

Very nice tribute.

 

[FastEddieF.]

Cole

Cole

Hi Mary, thanks for sharing.R.I.P. Cole

 

[wincardona]

Larry Schwartz, Jimmy Mataya, and myself visited with Cole the week before he passed and shared some time with our friend, I remember him saying many times that ...every things all right.
He would say that often as we were speaking, totally unrelated to what we were talking about I guess it was his way of telling us that he was at peace with himself. I really can't say that it made me feel good or sad, maybe a little of both. We went out to eat and then other times we went out to the casino, just wanting him to get out and be a part of something...like old times and I was glad to see him enjoying himself ...all along knowing that he was struggling with life. the last day we were there ..before we left we said to Cole that we were leaving, and he had this look on his face like a little boy and said...I guess i'm not going with you guys today,right?' We kinda knew that we wouldn't ever be seeing him again, however, I said to him that I would see him in Vegas for the US Open One pocket championships...he said yea,ok.

Rest In Peace my friend,
Bill Incardona

 

[FastEddieF.]

Billy,sorry you lost another true friend who you loved. What a sad year. R.I.P. Cole

 

[Ron Lilies]

Cole Dixon the day he left for the road.

Cole Dixon the day he left for the road.

A small room "The Circus"in San Jose, Cole was asking another young upcoming player (Bobby Ledger) to go with him on the road. Bobby said that he had to talk it over with his parents. "What's your parents have to do with it" was Cole reply. Continued on and Said,"well are you going to go with me on the road or stay in San Jose and rot"! Cole was either 14 or 15.Always had a great way of expressing himself. Rest in peace my friend.Ron Lilies.

 

[Island Drive]

Passing On

Passing On

As I've found out going thru that experience 4-96 with my dad passing on, I've learned to appreciate the happiness/enjoyment of life that this particular person has given me even more. I don't become extremely sad and depressed, but arise and think of what they brought to my time while here. Cole expresses the freedom of the sixties, the brash in your face style of high stakes gambling, and the fun one can have during battle or just hangin' out. Cole had character, skill, looks, no fear and the ability to travel where ever his whim desired....says allot about how he went about life, on his terms. Many will out live him, but few will ever have lived more than this man. My best goes out to his family and loved ones, and also to his two daughters? that someone mentioned. My two daughters have always enjoyed the social setting and interaction of a billiard room, and to this day, even two weeks ago, the wedding party ended up at 11pm at the pool room for laughs & fun. You two girls hang in there, and if your ever in CO, I would feel honored to at least meet you both. My girls are now 29&28. One made me a grandpa last summer .

 

[SJDinPHX]

A small room "The Circus"in San Jose, Cole was asking another young upcoming player (Bobby Ledger) to go with him on the road. Bobby said that he had to talk it over with his parents. "What's your parents have to do with it" was Cole reply. Continued on and Said,"well are you going to go with me on the road or stay in San Jose and rot"! Cole was either 14 or 15.Always had a great way of expressing himself. Rest in peace my friend.Ron Lilies.

No doubt about it Ron, He was a trip !.. About that time, he had me smuggling drinks for him, from the bar next door. (Lenny's)..
...LA Richie was a lot like him, (a little older)..but Cole could give Richie the orange crush, when it came to "Growing up fast".....
It was like talking to a seasoned, 30 year old scuff, when he was only 16 !...He will be missed.

Good to see you posting, Ron..(not often enough tho).. How are things in Sac ? Still living there ?

SJD

 

[slippery21]

Where is Bobby Ledger?

Where is Bobby Ledger?

Ron:

I come from the bowling world. Most of the bowling alleys in the 50's and 60's also had pool tables. When not bowling, we spent our time on the pool tables. I met Bobby at Moonlite Lanes when he was 13 or 14 years old.

Bobby, despite being a few years younger than me, I'm now 65, use to back me in bowling pot games in the San Jose area. If anyone was destined to be a hustler, it was Bobby.

Any idea whatever happened to him?

I was introduced to Cole by Poker Paul at Santa Clara Billiards about 20 years ago - John Henderson and Paul Martinez were matched up. Cole talked to me about his blackjack exploits. He was a very charismatic. Unfortunately I never saw him shoot.

 

[Fatboy]

Larry Schwartz, Jimmy Mataya, and myself visited with Cole the week before he passed and shared some time with our friend, I remember him saying many times that ...every things all right.
He would say that often as we were speaking, totally unrelated to what we were talking about I guess it was his way of telling us that he was at peace with himself. I really can't say that it made me feel good or sad, maybe a little of both. We went out to eat and then other times we went out to the casino, just wanting him to get out and be a part of something...like old times and I was glad to see him enjoying himself ...all along knowing that he was struggling with life. the last day we were there ..before we left we said to Cole that we were leaving, and he had this look on his face like a little boy and said...I guess i'm not going with you guys today,right?' We kinda knew that we wouldn't ever be seeing him again, however, I said to him that I would see him in Vegas for the US Open One pocket championships...he said yea,ok.

Rest In Peace my friend,
Bill Incardona

That's the most brutal post i have ever read. Wow, fvcking cancer, its the absolute worst thing ever. same thing with my mom, hits too close to home.

 

[Fatboy]

Ron:

I come from the bowling world. Most of the bowling alleys in the 50's and 60's also had pool tables. When not bowling, we spent our time on the pool tables. I met Bobby at Moonlite Lanes when he was 13 or 14 years old.

Bobby, despite being a few years younger than me, I'm now 65, use to back me in bowling pot games in the San Jose area. If anyone was destined to be a hustler, it was Bobby.

Any idea whatever happened to him?

I was introduced to Cole by Poker Paul at Santa Clara Billiards about 20 years ago - John Henderson and Paul Martinez were matched up. Cole talked to me about his blackjack exploits. He was a very charismatic. Unfortunately I never saw him shoot.

How is Poker Paul? i'm scared to ask, havent seen him in a few years

 

[slippery21]

Poker Paul

Poker Paul

Eric:

Poker Paul is doing great. As you probably know, he had a 5-way bypass a few years back. We get together for some 1-pocket every few weeks at Best or the Cue Club. He robs me, but I can't make a ball.

 

[Fatboy]

Eric:

Poker Paul is doing great. As you probably know, he had a 5-way bypass a few years back. We get together for some 1-pocket every few weeks at Best or the Cue Club. He robs me, but I can't make a ball.

wow thats great, please please please tell him Fatboy-the guy who highrolled Bucktooth(he will know what that means) says hello-he really likes me, and i do him. intact when i go to Vegas next ill pm you or please pm me contact info for you to him, would love to see him.

also for he record i have known tooth 20+ years and his sone and well, there has never been any bad blood between us, i like tooth and respect him. I was born in Castro Valley in 66 when he has Carrousel Billiards.

the night i high rolled him, really had nothing to do with him, i lost 10's of millions in court 6 hours before and i wanted to flip a coin for everything he had on him. it was me with my nose open, it was on video-which i didnt know. i did walk up to him a hour later and said "no disrespect meant" he was cool. Wow that was a bad, day-he was a lock to win the flip the way that day went.