Robert Cole

Cole, Commander Robert Alexander, beloved husband and father and highly decorated reserve naval officer, age 87, of Ashville, died May 8, 2010. Mr. Cole was born in Athens, Alabama, on February 8, 1923. He was the son of Eugene Butler Cole and Evelyn White and the older brother of Paul Cole and Dot Moore, all deceased. During World War II, Mr. Cole joined the United States Navy Reserve and served as a carrier pilot. He participated in several major battles, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval engagement ever fought and a major turning point in the War in the Pacific. In 1944, Ensign Cole married the love of his life, Virginia Allison of Birmingham, Alabama. After retiring from the Navy, Commander Cole and Mrs. Cole lived in Athens, Alabama, and then Pinedale Shores, Ashville, Alabama. Mr. Cole was also a retiree of the St. Clair County school system as an instructor of computer and TV electronics, former President of the Pinedale Shores Property Owners Association, and former Chief of the Pinedale Shores Volunteer Fire Department. Following Mrs. Cole's death in 1998, Mr. Cole was in increasingly poor health. During his last years, he spent most of his time in Boca Raton, Florida, receiving loving care by his daughter Mrs. Sandy O'Rourke. Commander Cole was preceded in death by Mrs. Cole, a son, Private Randall Earl Cole, and a grandson Kevin Michael O'Rourke. Survivors include daughters Mrs. Sandra Cole (Mike) O'Rourke of Boca Raton, Florida, and Mrs. Dorothy Cole (Tom) Roller of Ashville; sons Mr. Robert E. (Kathleen) Cole of Goodview, Virginia, and Mr. William D. (Teresa) Cole of Ashville; eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Graveside services will be on Thursday May 13, at 3pm with burial in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.