Bobby James Cole

Bobby James Cole, 86, passed away Friday, January 30, 2026 at his home.

The family will receive friends and celebrate his life Thursday from 6 to 8 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home.

Bobby was a lifelong resident of Pitt County and graduated from Chicod High School. He was one of the founding employees of Coastal Agrobusiness, where he worked for over 40 years until his retirement. Bobby was a car enthusiast and enjoyed restoring and customizing antique cars and trucks, especially those built in the 1940's and 1950's. He also enjoyed mowing his grass, riding his golf cart, and driving around with his family telling stories about how his community had changed during his lifetime.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Callie Mae Cole; brothers, Donald, Tommy, and Sydney Cole; and sisters, Rachel Gigler, Beulah Jordan, Mary Williams, Holly Hamill, Fannie Croom, and Rose Cole.

He is survived by his son, Bobby James Cole, Jr. and wife, Joanne; grandchildren, Justin Cole, Caroline Cole, and Julie Cole;

great-grandchildren, Cassidy Cutler and husband, Shawn, Samantha Cole, Brenton Cole, and Alex Jones; and sister, Callie Legget and husband, Vernon.