Sgt. Christopher Francis Coles

Sergeant Christopher Coles passed away in Southern Pines, NC on September 18th. Christopher was serving proudly as an 18D Medical Sergeant in ODA 3333, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was recently deployed to Mauritania and Morocco.
Christopher is survived by his wife, Isabel Coles and their son, Brayden; parents, Chris and Sandie Coles; sisters, Tara and Margaret; paternal grandmother, Joan Coles of Duluth, Ga; maternal grandparents, Perry and Nellie Rouse of Maricopa, Az; Uncles Frank Coles (Olga), Matt Coles (Ann), Jim Coles, Mike Rouse (Chris); Aunts Betsy Marshall, Lisa Coles (Wayne), Elizabeth Wimmer (Steve), Rebecca Deitsch (Jim) and Brenda Rouse; cousins Valerie Cone (Tim), Melissa Coles, Anna Brewer (Will); Mark Coles (Cynthia), Joan Coles (Drew), Lisa Louise Coles, Jason Smith, Megan Johnston (Matt), Kelly Coles, Hannah Myers (Randy), Erin Poole (Phillip), Zachary Wimmer (Rachel), Alexander Wimmer (Jenna), Nicholas Wimmer (Jessica), Joshua Wimmer (Allyson), Noah Wimmer (Ashley), Caroline Wimmer, Rachel Wimmer, Teddy Wimmer, Rebecca Deitsch (Gabriel), Jim Deitsch, John Deitsch, Joan Deitsch, Mary Deitsch, Cheyenne Rouse, and Austin Armstrong, as well as numerous second cousins, and great aunts and uncles.
Christopher was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Frank Coles (Duluth, Ga), Uncle Mark Coles (Duluth, Ga), cousins Christopher Garcia (Phoenix, Az) and Kathy Lovelady (Glendale, Az).
Christopher was born September 1, 1996, in Marietta, GA. He was a wonderful son who always aimed to please and help others. Christopher loved the outdoors, participating in numerous marathons and rucks over the years and especially loved Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, GA where he looked forward to the annual family gathering each fall. As a child, he joined the Cub Scouts and ended as an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts, Troop 67, Varnell, GA. He volunteered at assisted living facilities. He was always tutoring and helping others, from grade school through college. He was active in baseball, basketball, and bowling. His Uncle Mark taught him to play chess at a very young age and he continued to play throughout his life. Christopher attended Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, TN and graduated as Valedictorian. He was an avid reader and read widely, no doubt reading over a thousand books in his lifetime. He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating Cum Laude with a degree in chemical engineering. While at Notre Dame he boxed in the Bengal Bouts Tournament, raising funds for the Holy Cross Mission in Bangladesh. After matriculating from Notre Dame, Christopher secured a job with Resolute Forest Products. After a year of service to Resolute, Christopher enlisted in the Army with the intent to become a medic with the Special Forces. A task he completed (of course!). While at OSUT (One Station Unit Training), he was the Soldier of the Cycle. In his spare time, Christopher also volunteered with the Southern Pines Youth and Adult Rugby Organization, serving as a medic.
Christopher had a great love for music and played the guitar. He and Isabel recently attended the See.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park, NJ.
The funeral service to honor the life of Sergeant Coles will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
Inurnment will take place at Chattanooga National Cemetery, Friday September 27, 2024 at 2:30pm.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m.
You may leave the family a message or light a memorial candle on the tribute wall at www.julianpeeples.com
Funeral arrangements are by Julian Peeples Funeral Home, Pleasant Grove Chapel, Dalton. For more information, call 706-259-7455.