Howard Ray Cole

Howard Ray Cole, age 79, of Weaverville passed away Monday, December 9, 2024.

Howard was born July 7, 1945, in Buncombe County where he had lived most of his life. A US Navy veteran of Vietnam; he made two deployments with the Navy Attack Squadron 196. He was co-founder and president of Cole Vending Co., Inc. for 49 years and a past president of the North Carolina Amusement Machine Association, and a past president of the Amusement and Music Operators Association. Howard was a member and Past Master of Blackmer Masonic Lodge, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite, and a member of The Oasis Shrine. He was also a member of the Waynesville American Legion post 47, and Waynesville VFW post 5202. Howard was a member of Pleasant Grove Union Church. He was a wonderful storyteller!

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Cheek McGiffin; father, Raymond R. Cole, stepfather, Max McGiffin; and brothers, Jimmy Cole and Sammy Cole.

Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Brenda Massey Cole; son, Paul Zumwalt and wife Kelly; sister, Tammy McGiffin McMahan; stepmother, Isabel Mackey Cole; grandchildren, Ameron Zumwalt Fisher and husband Nate and Joseph Zumwalt and wife Morgan, and great granddaughter, Parker Rose Fisher.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, December 13, 2024, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home. Rev. Mike Holder and Rev. Ray Bailey will officiate. Masonic rites will be provided by Blackmer Lodge #170 AF & AM and military honors by the US Navy. Burial will follow in Clark’s Chapel Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, December 12, 2024, at West Funeral Home.

At Howard’s request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Howard’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under his obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.