Wanda Jean Vaughn Bomgaars Cole

Wanda Jean Vaughn Bomgaars Cole bor

n on January 16, 1931, was called hom

e by her Lord on Saturday, August 12, 2023, to be with he

r loving husband, Marion W. Cole, Jr., her mother and father

, Perry and Lois Vaughn, and her brother, Robert D Vaughn who all preceded her in death.  She is survived by her three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jeffrey Wayne Bomgaars (wif

e Sandi Bomgaars), James Lloyd Bomgaars (wife Belinda Bomgaars) and Jack David Bomgaars.  Wanda is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer Suzanne McMartin and Derek McMartin, daughter and son-in-law of Jeff and Sandi Bomgaars, Brian Wayne Bomgaars and Meghan Bomgaars, son and daughter-in-law of Jeff and Sandi Bomgaars, Kasey and Jeff Tunget, daughter and son-

in law of James and Belinda Bomgaars and Joshua David Bomgaars, son of Jack Bomgaars.  Wanda was preceded in death by her granddaughter Stephanie Hansen, daughter of James and Belinda Bomgaars.   To her delight she had great-grandchildren.  Parker McMartin, Reece McMartin, Carter Thomas, Emma Thomas, Gabriel Hansen and Brylee Tunget.

Wanda

was the first born and daughter of Perry

Hester Vaughn and Lois Walker Vaughn.  She was born in Lubbock, TX; however, the family later moved to Amarillo, TX where she was raised and considered it as her home.  She grew up with a younger brother Robert “Bob” Duane Vaughn.  Wanda always referred to her mom as her best friend.  Her mom, Lois, was a lively woman who kept the household laughing and interesting.  Wanda had such fond memories of her dad, Perry.  Each morning, her dad would fix breakfast and they would eat together which gave them their time together.  A memory that always stuck with Wanda regarding her brother Bob was when the family was traveling in their 4-door sedan going on vacation.  Bob was evidently playing with the door handle and while the car was moving the door opened and Bob was hanging on for dear life while her dad was trying to stop.  Bob flew off the door handle and went tumbling out on the highway.  It was only by the grace of God that he was not ran over by another car and while he had a lengthy hospital stay, he survived.  Right then and there, Wanda decided that she was Bob’s protector and always made sure no harm came to him.

Wanda Jean graduated from Amarillo High School in 1949.  During her time at Amarillo High, she made many long-lasting friendships and enjoyed “dragging” Polk Street in her daddy’s Lincoln Town Car with her friends.  After high school Wanda continued her education at Christian College for Women in Columbia Missouri.  Wanda graduated in 1951 with a degree in business.

It was not long after graduating from college that she met a man that stole her heart, Wayne Lloyd Bomgaars.  In July of 1953 she and Wayne were married and started their family.  Together they had 3 sons, Jeff, James and Jack frequently referred to as the “Three J’s”.  In 1957, the family moved from Amarillo TX to Clovis, NM.  In 1964, after seven years in Clovis, they moved to Oklahoma City, OK where Wanda and Wayne raised their family.  While Wanda’s marriage to Wayne ended and they went their separate ways, their love for their 3 sons kept them forever connected.

Almost immediately moving to Oklahoma City she bonded with a neighbor, Ida Newcomb.  Wanda frequently referred to Ida as the sister she never had.  Each week, if not more frequent, they went shopping, to movies, out to dinner, and most importantly to the symphony.  Wanda loved the symphony and it fit her so well.  She was able to “dress to impress” and wear the mink coat her mom left her.  Everyone should have a friendship like the one Wanda and Ida had.

Wanda had many careers, but the one that was most dear to her heart was that of being the office manager and receptionist for an orthodontist practice.  Dr Don James considered Wanda not just as an employee but as a member of his family so much so that Dr James took Wanda on vacations with him and his family.  Dr James depended on Wanda to run his office, keep up the books and maintain a pleasant atmosphere for the clients, which Wanda did with ease.  Dr James often told her that he did not build his practice that he and Wanda built it together.  They worked together for more than 20 years at which time she found her second “old” love.

When Wanda was young, she dated a boy named Marion W Cole, Jr.  Marion enlisted in the Navy and was sent overseas in which they lost touch and each moved on with their life.  In the early 90’s, thanks to Marion’s mom who set them up to “unexpectedly” meet, Wanda and Marion reconnected and in November 1993 they married.  Wanda moved back to her “home” town where she and Marion lived during their 17-year marriage.  Not only did Wanda get her “old” love back she gained a second family.  Marion W. Cole, III and wife Rebecca, Marian Ellen Cole, and David and Paula Cole along with grandchildren, Jenna Brister and husband Michael and Whitney Mueller and husband Jeff.  The family continued to grow, bringing in great-grandchildren, Braxton Mueller, Beckham Brister and Collier Brister.

While residing in Amarillo, Wanda was an active member of the First Christian Church, a member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship Disciples of Women’s Ministries and a member of the Amarillo Genealogical Society.  Wanda spent many hours researching her ancestry and if not mistaken was able to track her ancestry back to the late 1700’s. She found many interesting stories to share.

On Christmas day in the year 2010, Wanda lost her most precious blessing, Marion W Cole, Jr.  Within a year of Marion’s death, Wanda decided to move back to Oklahoma City where she could be with and enjoy her 3 sons, their families and her best friend Ida.  In Oklahoma City, Wanda became a member of New Covenant Christian Church.

Wanda was the epitome of a women who grew up in the 40’s and 50’s.  No matter the occasion or non-occasion, Wanda was always “put together”.  Perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect nails, perfect dress.  She played the part right up to the day she left this earth.  Wanda will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Llano Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, Amarillo, TX.  Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.  Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at New Covenant Christian Church, Oklahoma City, OK.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, TX.

The family suggest memorial gifts be made to the First Christian Church, 3001 Wolflin Avenue, Amarillo, TX  79109 or to New Covenant Christian Church, 12000 N Rockwell, Oklahoma City, OK  73162 or to your favorite charity.