Herbert F. Cole, 89, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at his home in Boone, NC. where he has spent the last five years of his life.
He grew up near Montgomery, the son of Archie Herbert Cole and Vera Bentley Cole. During his teens, his family moved to Mobile, where he lived until joining the Civilian Conservation Corps, driving trucks in Utah.
He later joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in World War II with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 8th Marines, fighting in the grueling battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. After World War II, he served with the military police at Marine Barracks, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Quantico, Va.; and Headquarters USMC Washington, D.C. He was also assigned to the Marine Security Detachment as an embassy guard in Mexico City. After 12 years of service to the Marine Corps, he returned to his family in Mobile, and spent the next 30 years working for the L&N (now CSX) Railroad.
After marrying Marie Hanson in 1960, he moved to Daphne with his bride, where they two raised their children, enjoyed time with their family, attended church at Daphne Baptist, and took every available opportunity to go fishing in Mobile Bay. In 2004 he moved to Boone, N.C., to live with his daughter’s family and to receive the loving care that was due a man of such courage and character.
He was preceded in death by his wife whom he cherished and adored, Marie Hanson Cole.
Survivors include two children, Janet Marie (Jim) Bates of Boone, N.C., and Herbert E. (Amy) Cole of Daphne; a sister, Bettie Sue Graves of Lucedale, Miss.; brother, James Grady (Gertrude) Cole of Mobile; four grandchildren, Alexandra and Jennie Cole, Nathan and Hannah Bates; and best friend, James Dukes of San Rafael, Calif.
Visitation was held Sunday, Dec. 13 with funeral services Monday, Dec. 14 at Daphne Baptist Church with the Rev. Grant Barber and the Rev. Alfred Yancey officiating. Burial with full military honors followed at Daphne Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Operations Christmas Child, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC. 28607.
Local arrangements were made by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Daphne. Arrangements in Boone were made by Austin and Barnes Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
