Donald Wayne Cole

Donald Wayne Cole, 70, of Yuma, AZ, passed away on January 11, 2017, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ shortly after the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Don was born on October 12, 1946, in Fairfield, OH, to the late George Furman Cole and Eloise Alice Barwick Cole, on Eloise' 35th birthday. In 1964, he graduated from Clover Park High School in Lakewood, WA. Don enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve after his high school graduation. His first assignment was in Bremerton, WA. He attended Olympic College, where he excelled in electronics and mathematics. Don was stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI from 1967-1969 where he worked for the Commander, Submarine Pacific (ComSubPac) Fleet. He married his first wife, Christine Bartley Herbst, on March 3, 1967, in Honolulu, HI. When he completed his military service, they moved to Lynnwood, WA. They welcomed their first daughter, Kimberly Ann Cole, in 1969, just two months after his honorable discharge from the Navy. Donald visited and fell in love with Shady Cove, OR. In 1970, he and Christine relocated to the area. In 1973, they welcomed their second daughter, Tanya Marie Cole. In 1981, their only son, David Joseph Cole, was born. After completion of Don's military commitment, he had a distinguished 20-year career at The Medite Corporation, Timber Division, in White City, OR where he held numerous jobs. His positions included millwright, production superintendent, and the company general manager. In 1989, Don married Sharon "Sue" Bell and became a stepparent to three additional children: Steven Lee Bell, Carole Ann Bell, and Richard Todd Bell. He was more than a stepfather as he treated each as his own. When the doors closed at the lumber company in 1997, Don took a job as the safety director at a business firm where he coordinated safety projects and conducted safety inspections until he retired. Don's greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also appreciated shooting a multitude of firearms, and attending car and air shows. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sue (2015); his father, George (1979); his mother, Eloise (1989); his stepmother, Gertrude (2001); and eight aunts and uncles. He is survived by his children Steven, of San Jose, CA; Carole, of Umatilla, OR; Kimberly, of Chula Vista, CA; Tanya, of Wildomar, CA; Richard, of Las Vegas, NV; David, of Marysville, CA; 12 grandchildren, his Aunt Selma Louise Cole Miller of Florence, SC, and ex-wife Christine of El Cajon, CA. Don was cremated by Samaritan Funeral Home and will be buried at sea with his wife, Sue, per his last request.