Gordon W. Cone Obituary

There is a story to tell about a young couple's move from Tampa, Florida to Albany, Georgia. The year was 1954. Neal was 8 months old and Karen was 2 � years old.A wonderful "shoe dog", Ben Watts, was there to greet them on behalf of Curtis Barfield, who had just hired Dub Cone to be manager of Barfield's, Albany's new family shoe store.Dub and his wife Carmen first lived at the Pecan Cottage at Radium Springs. The owner of the Gordon Hotel graciously housed them there because of the need to heat food and milk for the babies. They later moved to an apartment in town.Gordon William Cone, always called "Dub", opened and managed Barfield's for 20 years. Eventually, Dub went into business for himself, opening Dub Cone's Shoes at the then new Midtown Shopping Center. Always interested in proper fit for children's shoes, he next started Dub Cone's Buster Brown Shoes at the new Albany Mall.Community support for his businesses prompted Dub to expand and open Dub Cone's Feet First, a Naturalizer women's shoe store, also in the Albany Mall. Subsequently, he purchased Aaron's Shoes and opened Carmen's Fine Footwear in the Mall. Dub always attributed his business success to a wonderful group of loyal and hardworking employees. Carmen's is now owned and run by Dub's son, Neal.Dub was active as a community leader. He served as secretary and president of the Albany Lions Club. He was a Mason and Shriner. He also was president of the Albany Merchant's Association, the Midtown Merchant's Association, and the Albany Mall Merchant's Association.Dub served as a deacon and elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church and later as a steward at First Methodist Church, where he and Carmen are still members.Dub was an avid gardener, talented carpenter and enthusiastic fisherman. He and Carmen enjoyed many years of boating, fishing, and beachcombing at their vacation home in Destin, FL.Dub was born in Savannah, GA and grew up on a farm in Brooklet. His parents were Winton and Ethel Cone. While starting his career in the shoe business, he met Carmen Tudela in Tampa, FL and they were married in 1949. Carmen became instrumental in the merchandising and buying or his Albany shoe stores.Dub died at age 75 after bravely battling cancer for over eight years.

Gordon W. Cone Obituary

February 7, 1929 - June 6, 2004