James
James Frankliln Coles Sr.
d. November 24, 2017
James F. Coles Sr. of Bedford passed away on November 24, 2017 after a brief stay at Lynchburg General Hospital. Jim and his family moved to Bedford from Lebanon, Va. in 1968 when he was transferred by VDOT to become the resident engineer for Bedford County, serving in that role through 1982. Born in Chatham, Va. in 1923 to William Patton and Lila Jordan Coles, Jim graduated from Spring Garden High School (Pittsylvania County) in 1941, and entered the U.S. Army the following year. During WWII, he was assigned to the Corps of Engineers and helped build airfields in France and Germany. After the War, Jim worked for A.B. Burton Construction in Lynchburg for several years before he was hired by VDOT as a bridge inspector.
In 1952, Jim married JoAnn Fritz from St. Charles, Va., who was a well-loved teacher in several of the county’s elementary schools. Jim and JoAnn had four sons, all of whom graduated from Liberty High School and were Eagle Scouts in Troop 183, Bedford. Jim retired from VDOT in 1982 (so he could travel with JoAnn to visit places of interest in the western U.S. and Europe.) After the passing of JoAnn in 1984, Jim continued to run the Coles Farm with the help of his son, Charlie.
In addition to JoAnn, Jim was predeceased by his parents, and brothers William Patton Jr., and Josiah Jordan Coles, all of whom were residing in Pittsylvania County.
He is survived by his four sons, Jim Coles (wife, Lucy), Charles Coles (wife, Charlotte), Patton Coles (wife, Mimi), and George Coles (wife Jan.); eleven grandchildren, Joseph (wife Sarah), Natalie (husband Joey), Scott (fiancé Marti), Sarah (husband Ian), James, Willie, Annabelle, Quint, Jimmy, Bethany (husband Matthew), and Cody (wife Brittany); six great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Henry, Isaiah, Jacob, Haley, Grant.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. today, Sunday, November 26, 2017 at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford. A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017 in Greenwood Cemetery.
In 1952, Jim married JoAnn Fritz from St. Charles, Va., who was a well-loved teacher in several of the county’s elementary schools. Jim and JoAnn had four sons, all of whom graduated from Liberty High School and were Eagle Scouts in Troop 183, Bedford. Jim retired from VDOT in 1982 (so he could travel with JoAnn to visit places of interest in the western U.S. and Europe.) After the passing of JoAnn in 1984, Jim continued to run the Coles Farm with the help of his son, Charlie.
In addition to JoAnn, Jim was predeceased by his parents, and brothers William Patton Jr., and Josiah Jordan Coles, all of whom were residing in Pittsylvania County.
He is survived by his four sons, Jim Coles (wife, Lucy), Charles Coles (wife, Charlotte), Patton Coles (wife, Mimi), and George Coles (wife Jan.); eleven grandchildren, Joseph (wife Sarah), Natalie (husband Joey), Scott (fiancé Marti), Sarah (husband Ian), James, Willie, Annabelle, Quint, Jimmy, Bethany (husband Matthew), and Cody (wife Brittany); six great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Henry, Isaiah, Jacob, Haley, Grant.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. today, Sunday, November 26, 2017 at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford. A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017 in Greenwood Cemetery.
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