Charles Franklin

"Chuck" Cole

Asheville - Charles Franklin Cole, 91, died peacefully Friday, August 16, 2013 at Deerfield Retirement Center after a long and happy life.

Born in St. John, Washington on February 27, 1922, "Chuck" was the son of the late William and Mabel Cole. He was raised in Washington, Oregon and Kansas before his family settled in New Rochelle, NY. He graduated from the Taft School in Connecticut. In 1941, During WWII, Chuck was an ambulance driver with the American Field Service, serving at the Battle of Monte Casino in Italy and entering Rome on the day of its liberation. After the war, he graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts.

In 1951, he married the love of his life, Nancy Lemaster Yeager, of New Rochelle, NY. They followed his career with the J. C. Penney Company to California, Ohio, Maryland, Indiana and New York. In 1974, the moved to Asheville when he joined Bells Traditionals.

Chuck was an active member of the Asheville community, serving as a Trustee for Warren Wilson College and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a loyal Supporter of the Community Foundation of WNC, the Asheville Lyric Opera, the Asheville Symphony, the Mountain Child Care Center and Christ School.

Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Nancy. He is survived by his son, James Yeager Cole, of Waynesville, his daughter Marjorie Cole Newton and John LaFavor, of Lakeville, MN, grandchildren George Cole Newton of Beaumont, CA, William Francis Newton and Liza Lemaster Newton of Lakeville, MN, sister Patricia Cole Hueter and her husband Edward of Naples, FL, brother-in-law William L. Yeager and his wife Barbara of Naples, FL, seven greatly loved nephews and nieces, Bob and Allie Hueter of Sarasota, FL, Bill and Beverly Hueter and Debbie Hueter of Atlanta,GA, Lynn and Gard McLean of Skaneatales, NY, Betsy and Dave Dawson of Naples, FL, Nancy and Scott McLean of Sydney, NY, and Nancy Lemaster Of Sun Valley, ID, his truly amazing caregiver Sheila Miller and her husband Ronnie of Leicester, NC and many, many dear friends.

A celebration of Chuck's life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 5, 2013 in St Giles Chapel of Deerfield Retirement Center, Asheville with the Rev. E. Morgan Gardner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Warren Wilson College, the Grover and Ruth Yeager or the Barbara Otis Scholarship Funds, P.O. Box 9000, Asheville, NC 28815 or the Community Foundation of WNC, 4 Vanderbilt Park Dr., Asheville, NC 28803.

Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through the website www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asheville Citizen-Times from Aug. 18 to Oct. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Cole

7 Entries

Lynn McLean

August 28, 2013

Such a great guy and loving Uncle. I will miss picking up the phone and finding it was him, just calling for a chat to catch up. He will be missed.

Gard McLean

August 28, 2013

I have many fond memories of Chuck (and Nancy) following my marriage into the Yeager clan. Chuck's presentation at our rehearsal dinner was a "Welcome as a HOYG" (Husband of Yeager Girls) was both humorous and heartfelt. He was always interested in following our lives, with visits to Upstate NY and as hosts in Asheville. Chuck will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

August 28, 2013

With deepest sympathy to the Cole family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead...(Psalm 62:8).

Beth Maczka

August 24, 2013

So thankful for the many ways this dear man enriched our community with his leadership and philanthropy.

August 22, 2013

Chuck has been part of my visits to Deerfield for such a long time, that I will feel his absence for a long time to come. I feel lucky to have travelled with him and his family in the Galapagos Islands, and to have spent time with him in Asheville. I know he is now with his beloved wife Nancy, but will be with us in our hearts for many years to come.

Ellen Manning

August 21, 2013

The night after Chuck died (I had not heard the news yet) I woke up having just seen him in my dream. A vivid image of him sitting in a chair, smiling and holding a large glass in one hand and a small champagne glass in the other. In them were "Mimosas". I was sure in my dream that he was holding the champagne glass up higher and it was for his beloved wife Nancy. I loved Chuck and will always be grateful to have known him. He will be remembered with great fondness.

Bob Hueter

August 20, 2013

Bon voyage, dear Uncle Chuck, now you are back with your beloved Nancy at last

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