Richard Alan Cole

Lenoir, NC- Richard Alan Cole, age 53, of Plantation Drive, Lenoir, died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Hudson surrounded by his family. He was a native of Gastonia, son of the late James B. and Katherine Sarvis Cole. Richard had earned the rank of Life Scout and was a 4 year winner in junior memory work in the scripture memorization program. He had obtained his master’s degree in special education from ASU in 1982 and his second master’s degree from Gardner-Webb in educational administration in 2004. He worked for Blue Ridge Electric from 1990 until 2000 in Public Relations. He had served with Habitat for Humanity on the Public Relations committee and had served as president of the board of directors of the Caldwell Counseling Center. He currently served as assistant director of exceptional children’s programs for Caldwell County Schools. Richard was an active member of Lower Creek Baptist Church for over 20 years where he taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and sang in the choir. He recalled proud moments as a father, when he witnessed his son Adam be ordained as a minister in Black Mountain in May 2010 and when his son Travis earned Eagle Scout and Triple Crown Award. Richard chaperoned a scout trip where he hiked over 93 miles in New Mexico in 2007. He participated in several mission trips to Mexico, Uruguay, France, Germany and Switzerland. Richard is survived by his wife of 20 years, Betty Johnson Cole; two sons, Adam J. Hatton and wife Jessica of Lenoir; Travis J. Cole of Lenoir; brother, Toby Cole of Cary; sister Norma Coble and husband Frankie of Stanley, his step-mother, Beverly Cole of Gastonia and Richard’s father and mother-in-law, Jimmie and Mary Rose of Lenoir. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held 3:00 PM Friday, February 4, 2011 at Lower Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Todd Braswell officiating. Burial will follow in the Lower Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 6 until 8 PM at Lower Creek Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Lower Creek Baptist Church, 633 Lower Creek Drive, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Habitat for Humanity, 1002 NW Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Cole Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Cole Family. PDF Printable Version