Jon “Joe” D. Cole
Lead Summary
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Jon “Joe” Duane Cole, 81, a loving husband, dad, brother and friend, passed away at his residence in Hillsboro on Monday, June 5, 2017.
A lifetime resident of Hillsboro, Joe was born May 16, 1936 to the late Charles F. and Georgeanna (West) Cole.
He attended the black-only Lincoln School, as all local black children did before the forced integration of Hillsboro City Schools. Joe then moved to Hillsboro High School, where he graduated with the class of 1955.
Joe was a talented athlete, playing varsity sports as a freshman. Though he excelled at basketball, baseball and track and field, football was his favorite, and he earned the respect (and sometimes fear) of other athletes as he dominated the action on the field.
While attending Hillsboro High School, Joe met Arlene Rockhold, who would remain the love of his life through seven years of dating and 56 years of marriage. After high school, Joe enlisted and served our country honorably in the United States Navy. Joe and Arlene's love for one another led to marriage, and they were blessed with three sons, Jon and Maurice and Infant Cole, a baby boy who preceded Joe in death.
Joe worked at Rotary Forms to support his young family and was even invited to the Cincinnati Gardens to audition as a place kicker for a professional football team. He was good enough to join camp as a “walk-on,” but Joe was more concerned about providing for his expectant wife than following his dream of playing football at an elite level. Joe joined Local 83 in Portsmouth and was a laborer (construction worker) and union steward until his retirement at age 62.
In his lifetime, Joe was a Hillsboro Peace Officer and served on the Housing Board. He also was a 2002 Hillsboro Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. Joe accepted Christ in his life and was baptized at his home church, Wayman's Chapel AME Church in Hillsboro.
Although his physical health began to fail, his mind and tongue remained sharp. He could curse with the best of them... a sailor through and through. However, his gruff exterior did not tell the full picture of his big heart. He loved completely, and for those who experienced his friendship, it was a timeless treasure. For those who came to feel his love, the richness of it will stand the test of time.
Joe is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Arlene (Rockhold) Cole whom he married on Jan. 22, 1961.
He is also survived by two sons, Jon William (Anita) Cole of Carmel, Ind. and Maurice Leon Cole of Cleveland; nine grandchildren, Rodney (Jaymara) Captain of Hillsboro, Erica Captain of Hillsboro, Jonathon O’Dee of Cleveland, Jordan Cole of Noblesville, Ind., Rheilly Cole of Kalamazoo, Mich., Halle Cole of Carmel, Ind., Brock Hallett of Las Vegas, Nev., Chase Hallett of Texas and Bailey Hallett of Carmel, Ind.; seven great-grandchildren: Chauncey Captain, Quintin Captain, Kingston Captain, Saivion Seals, Nylah Miles, Elizabeth O’Dee and Semaje Seals; a brother, Larry V. Cole of Hillsboro; two very special friends, Leroy Kittrell of Columbus and Terry Moore of Florida; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Baby Cole; five brothers, Charles E. Cole, Richard Cole, Rudy Cole, Thomas Cole and George F. Cole; five sisters, Shirley “Sue” Cole, Alice Thomas, Frida Nelson, Fern Stevenson and Geraldine Board.
Visitation will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene, immediately followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors, presented by the Highland County Honor Guard, will follow at the Hillsboro Cemetery. All are invited to join the family for a repast meal at Good News Gathering in Hillsboro after services conclude.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Wayman’s Chapel AME Church, 144 W. Pleasant Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. The Turner & Son Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.
A lifetime resident of Hillsboro, Joe was born May 16, 1936 to the late Charles F. and Georgeanna (West) Cole.
He attended the black-only Lincoln School, as all local black children did before the forced integration of Hillsboro City Schools. Joe then moved to Hillsboro High School, where he graduated with the class of 1955.
Joe was a talented athlete, playing varsity sports as a freshman. Though he excelled at basketball, baseball and track and field, football was his favorite, and he earned the respect (and sometimes fear) of other athletes as he dominated the action on the field.
While attending Hillsboro High School, Joe met Arlene Rockhold, who would remain the love of his life through seven years of dating and 56 years of marriage. After high school, Joe enlisted and served our country honorably in the United States Navy. Joe and Arlene's love for one another led to marriage, and they were blessed with three sons, Jon and Maurice and Infant Cole, a baby boy who preceded Joe in death.
Joe worked at Rotary Forms to support his young family and was even invited to the Cincinnati Gardens to audition as a place kicker for a professional football team. He was good enough to join camp as a “walk-on,” but Joe was more concerned about providing for his expectant wife than following his dream of playing football at an elite level. Joe joined Local 83 in Portsmouth and was a laborer (construction worker) and union steward until his retirement at age 62.
In his lifetime, Joe was a Hillsboro Peace Officer and served on the Housing Board. He also was a 2002 Hillsboro Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. Joe accepted Christ in his life and was baptized at his home church, Wayman's Chapel AME Church in Hillsboro.
Although his physical health began to fail, his mind and tongue remained sharp. He could curse with the best of them... a sailor through and through. However, his gruff exterior did not tell the full picture of his big heart. He loved completely, and for those who experienced his friendship, it was a timeless treasure. For those who came to feel his love, the richness of it will stand the test of time.
Joe is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Arlene (Rockhold) Cole whom he married on Jan. 22, 1961.
He is also survived by two sons, Jon William (Anita) Cole of Carmel, Ind. and Maurice Leon Cole of Cleveland; nine grandchildren, Rodney (Jaymara) Captain of Hillsboro, Erica Captain of Hillsboro, Jonathon O’Dee of Cleveland, Jordan Cole of Noblesville, Ind., Rheilly Cole of Kalamazoo, Mich., Halle Cole of Carmel, Ind., Brock Hallett of Las Vegas, Nev., Chase Hallett of Texas and Bailey Hallett of Carmel, Ind.; seven great-grandchildren: Chauncey Captain, Quintin Captain, Kingston Captain, Saivion Seals, Nylah Miles, Elizabeth O’Dee and Semaje Seals; a brother, Larry V. Cole of Hillsboro; two very special friends, Leroy Kittrell of Columbus and Terry Moore of Florida; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Baby Cole; five brothers, Charles E. Cole, Richard Cole, Rudy Cole, Thomas Cole and George F. Cole; five sisters, Shirley “Sue” Cole, Alice Thomas, Frida Nelson, Fern Stevenson and Geraldine Board.
Visitation will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene, immediately followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors, presented by the Highland County Honor Guard, will follow at the Hillsboro Cemetery. All are invited to join the family for a repast meal at Good News Gathering in Hillsboro after services conclude.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Wayman’s Chapel AME Church, 144 W. Pleasant Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. The Turner & Son Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.