Ed was born on July 3, 1941 and was originally from Elizabethton, Tenn. He was the youngest of Dan and Mary Cole’s 21 children. As a teenager, he enlisted in the United States Army and then later transferred to the United States Air Force. Ed enjoyed amateur boxing during his military career and often reminisced of it later in life. During Ed’s time in the USAF, he was one of the last military personnel to leave France once all U.S. military bases located there were closed.
After his military career, Ed was a longtime resident of Savannah, Ga., where he married his beloved wife of 40 years, Dianne Reynolds Cole, on May 1, 1976. While in Savannah, he served as a firefighter for the City of Savannah and Hunter Army Airfield. After retiring, Ed and Dianne moved to New Salisbury, Ind., in 2002.
Ed passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at Harrison Healthcare Center in Corydon, Ind., after a long illness. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Dan and Mary Cole, and 18 brothers and sisters.
He was the loving father of Kimberly and Keith Cole of Savannah, Ga., Zena (Lee) Whittinghill of New Salisbury, Ind., Byron (Davina) Stauffer of Hollywood, Fla., and Ashley (Melissa) Cole of Midway, Ga., as well as the doting grandfather of Erin (Justin) Lucas of Gallatin, Tenn., Byron (Katrina) Stauffer of Staten Island, N.Y., Kyle (Elizabeth) Whittinghill and DeAnna Edwards (Alex) of Georgetown, Ind., Austin Cawich of Hollywood, Fla.; Caleb and Cara Thomas, Nicholas Heery, Coda and Krysta Cole, all of Savannah/Midway, Ga. Ed was the proud great-grandfather of Emma and Jackson Lucas, Hailey Stauffer and Kalvin and Konrad Whittinghill. He is also survived by his brother, Fred Cole, and most adored sister and best friend, Alta Cole of Elizabethton, Tenn., as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 28, from 1 until 2 p.m. in the Chapel at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. The graveside service will follow in the Cole Cemetery on Lacey Hollow Road, Elizabethton, with Reverend Nathan Jennings officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Cole and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.