Charles Byron Cole

Charles Byron Cole, 80, of Goode, Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at English Meadows Elks Campus in Bedford.  He was the loving and supportive husband of Florence Saunders Cole.

Charles was born January 12, 1938 in Lynchburg.  He was the son of the late Clarence Aubert Cole and late Jessie Bryant Cole.  He was a member of West Lynchburg Baptist Church and participated in mission trips to aid hurricane victims.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Brenda Cole Arthur and husband, W T, of Forest; three sons, Charles Byron Cole, Jr. of Forest; Douglas Wade Cole of Richmond; and Steven Scott Cole and wife, Linda, of Lynchburg; two grandsons, Michael Jason Arthur and wife, Tammy, of Lynchburg and Steven Scott Cole, Jr. of Richmond; one granddaughter, Melanie Arthur Ahlers and husband, David, of Charlotte, N. C.; two great-grandsons, Owen William Ahlers and Jacob Scott Cole; and two great-granddaughters, Hannah Grace Arthur and Sophie Elizabeth Ahlers, and one sister, Dolores Cole Davis and special brother-in-law, Robert Dean Davis of Lynchburg; five nephews and three nieces.  His family will cherish his memory and look forward to the day when they will join him in heaven.

Charles was preceded in death by one grandson, William Charles Arthur; two brothers, Gary Kenneth Cole and infant brother, Douglas Wade Cole; and one sister, Faye Cole Crawford.

Charles served his country in the U. S. Marine Corp Reserve.  He was retired as manager from General Electric Company.  He loved playing golf, gardening, collecting model trains and old cowboy memorabilia, and riding his motorcycle.  But most of all, his favorite thing was time spent with his dog, Angel.  He didn’t need or even desire the extravagant and tangent things in life ….instead, the most precious commodity in his life was spending time with family and friends.  He made sure his children built a lifetime bond and love for their aunts, uncles, cousins which will last forever.  And his children can say that their dad’s friends were more than friends ….they were part of his family.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 9, 2018, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg.  A celebration of Charles’ life will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at West Lynchburg Baptist Church, 3031 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg, Virginia with Dr. Robert Putt officiating.  Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to West Lynchburg Baptist Church missions or Goode Volunteer Rescue Squad, 9261 Forest Road, Goode, Virginia 24556.  Words cannot begin to express the special thanks and appreciation to Dolores and Robert for their lifetime of giving to our family but especially the last few weeks.  We couldn’t have made this difficult journey without them.  Dolores was a very loving dedicated baby sister.

Charles will be greatly missed by his family and friends and all who knew him.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.