Paul Henry Cole

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died October 26, 2018

Paul Henry Cole, age 76, of Gladstone, passed away Friday evening, October 26, 2018, at DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans surrounded by loved ones.

Paul was born October 4, 1942, in Escanaba, the son of Paul F. and Irene (Baribeau) Cole. He graduated from Gladstone High School in 1960. From there he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving 4 years stationed at Kincheloe AFB in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. After his military years, he relocated to his home town of Gladstone where he met and married Suzanne Randall in 1964 and together they started their family. Recently, they celebrated 54 years of marriage. About that time is also when he started his 34 year career with the Michcon Consolidated Gas Company (now known as DTE Energy).
Paul was a skilled laborer and a customer favorite as he worked on many furnaces in his day. He was a very smart and mechanically gifted man always willing to lend a helping hand. He inspected many of pipelines and toward the end of his working career became a well-respected trainer where he excelled. He was able to share his knowledge with many co-workers and peers and touch the lives of many throughout to this day. He officially retired in 1996, but was still available to those in need.
Paul was a passionate golfer for most of his life, playing many of courses and forming a plethora of life-long friends. Many who golfed with him may say he had a bit of a temper, we’ll just say he was competitive. Paul also enjoyed bowling for many years and was an avid cribbage player as well as Green Bay Packer fan, but only if they were winning. He enjoyed old western movies, watching many different sports and building computers. He was a hard-working, quiet and reserved man with great love for his family and pets. He was a staple at his children’s sporting events and, eventually, his grandchildren… who were quick to become the apples of his eye. His love, support and encouragement will forever live on in his memory. He will be dearly missed by those closest to him.
In addition to his loving wife of 54 years, Sue (Randall) Cole, Paul is survived by:
2 Sons: Paul (Carolyn) Cole of Wilson, MI
Greg (Connie) Cole of San Diego, CA
1 Daughter: Kristin (Troy) Bowden of Escanaba, MI
1 Brother: Tom (Vicki) Cole, of Green Bay, WI
1 Sister: Mary Soper of Cornell, MI
Grandchildren: Alexis Cole, Brandon Bowden, Carly Bowden, Nikki (Brooks) Pirlot, Jeremy (Kasey) Heim, and John (Emily) Heim.
Great Grandchildren: Brynn Pirlot, Hannah Pirlot, Skylar Pirlot, Gage Heim, Griffin Heim, Georgia Heim, and Baby Pirlot.
Brother in laws: Robert Randall, Mike (Terrylann) Randall, Patrick DeBauche. Sister in law: Linda (Ray) Mayotte, Kathy Cole
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.

In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by:
Brother: Jim Cole
Sister: Anne Marie
Sister in law: Karen Randall
Brother in law: Robert Soper
Mother and father in law.

Family will receive friends Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone from 2:00 until 4:00 PM. Military Honors will be presented by the Gladstone American Legion at 3:45 PM. Funeral services for Paul will follow Military Honors at 4:00 PM at Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone with Pastor Tim Wright officiating. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Cole family.

22 Tributes for “Paul Henry Cole”

    Suzie,

    I am so sorry to read about your and your family’s sorrow with the passing of Paul. He was such a great guy. I will always appreciate how much he helped me when I was researching the Pracy-Randall family tree.

    -Candice Baker-DeVos

    Sue, Tom and Mary,
    We are so sorry for your loss. Paul was a great guy. My Dad always enjoyed visiting with him. I enjoyed keeping in contact with him on our share family genealogy. He did a lot of great work on our Grandparents family. I know he will be greatly missed by you and your family. We are praying for God’s comfort for you at this time. Love, Nan

    Paul,Carrie and Cole Family, I am So Sorry to hear about your Fathers Passing..if he was anything like Paul Jr…Heaven got a Special Guy..My Thoughts and Prayers are with you all in this time of Sorrow..
    Paul Jrs. Co-Worker..David L. Johnson

    Sue…we were so sorry to hear about Pauls passing. Our hearts & prayers are with you & your family. He was a great guy who will be missed by many.

    Dad,
    I love and miss you so much! You taught and showed me so much in your lifetime…but, nothing about how to be here without you.

    Sue… Paul and I roomed together at Kincheloe and hitchhiked back home almost every weekend until we each got our own transportation. He came to visit with me at Pioneer Trail Park a few years ago while I was attending a family reunion.. Paul was a good close friend while we were at Kincheloe. God’s love and Blessings to you and your family during these sad times.

    Aunt Suzy – Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your kids and grandbabies during this difficult time. We wish we could be there with you all for Paul’s celebration of life.
    Love to all. HUGS! Kevin, Denise, Bretton and Abbie Randall

    Last time I seemed Paul was in rapid river, hitching a ride back to kincheloe back in the 60,s. Sorry for your loss.

    Suzie, Tom, and family, I knew Paul as a good, respected employee of Mich Con, and as a friend. I am glad we got to have lunch together in Ashland many years ago when he visited my office there, while taking his son to college as I recall. May God bless you all in this difficult time.

    Sue,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I will pray for strength for you all during this difficult time.

    To the cole family,
    Only a few people have I really respected as much as your Father.
    Paul was one of only a couple of guys in the whole Michcon organization than truly knew what they were talking about because He had so much experience and the thirst to learn things daily.
    He was missed when he retired and will be missed by me now.
    I’m Glad his suffering is over.
    God bless.

    Great guy, played allot of golf with Paul, worked the pipeline when he was the inspector, my condolences to the family.

    Art Van Damme

    Paul was one of the best people anyone could have known. We had a lot of good times together at work. He was a mentor to me also a good friend. Even though we worked together for many years the best times were when I would come to Escanaba and I would take him out to lunch and we would take about the old days. So long old friend

    So sorry to hear of your transition….but I know you are on your next great adventure as “There is NO death, only a change of worlds” Chief Seattle! I was classmates with your brother, Jimmy so knew you as Jimmy’s older brother. I also so enjoyed all your contributions to the website set up by Phil Cretens and your postings on the Gladstone FB page!
    Sending love, healing hugs and positive energies to you through time and space and to your family who are missing you!
    Love, Paul!
    Betsy Gasperich…..an Eastender!

    Hi, dad!♥ We are a little over a month into missing you and you, by far, are still my hardest goodbye. Living on in your legacy is something I’m so proud to do, but wish I didn’t have to…wishing you were here…wishing so many things.

    Thankful for you watching over us…we feel your love and guidance. ♥

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