Stephen Floyd Cole
April 5, 1951 ~ July 7, 2016
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Stephen Floyd Cole, age 65, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016.
He was born in Buncombe County to the late Floyd Charles and Angelita McTindal Cole of Asheville. He retired from the US Forest Service and was very instrumental in the 1988 construction of the Cradle of Forestry in Brevard. He was also crew chief on many forest fires across the United States. He loved to carve, paint, fish, grow plants and read.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ann Smith Cole; two daughters, Christy Andrews (Todd) of Asheville and Stacy Cole (Abe) of Asheville; six grandchildren, Althea, Chloe, Austin, Bryson, Ben and Ella; three brothers, Phillip Cole of Asheville, David Cole of Tennessee and Ronnie Cole of Asheville.
A funeral service will be held Monday, July 11, at 4:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road. Rev. Bobby Smith will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to CarePartners Solace Center, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC, 28813.
A great asset to the USFS. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev. 21:4). Remembering you in your time of grief. Wayne & Brenda.
I really love all of my Uncle Floyd’s children and Steve was closer to my age.I will really miss him as I do Floyd and Anne. My love and prayers are with you all.
Dear Ann, we are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ken and Janice ( Earwood) Putnam
Ann, Christy & Stacy;
Having known Steve for over 40 years I know that he loved and treasured each of you above all else!
It’s hard to find the proper words but let his love for you be your best memory!
Sorry to learn of Steve’s passing.Although I have not seen him in a lot of years we were good friends at both Oakley and Reynolds for many years.My prayers are with the family.
Ann, Christy and Stacy, I am so sorry to learn about Steve. I will keep you and the rest of your family in my prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Christy – I was so sorry to hear the news of your father. Please know that I hold you and your family in my thoughts. May warm memories surround you all with love and peace.
I am so sorry for your family loss. Please give BA a hug for me
I was stunned and sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. It has been many years since I saw Steve. I transferred from the National Forests in North Carolina in 1989. Still, I have many happy memories of my time there.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ann and all the Cole family. I am so sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I always enjoyed his company at the lake and family gatherings. May he rest in peace. I will be praying for all of you.
I’m in shock dear Ann and my deepest condolences plus love & prayers for all of you. I went this past Thursday to a funeral for Don Padgett’s grandson at Penland Funeral Home. He was 24 years old and Don had raised from nearly all of his life. Don lost a daughter Tina Padgett not too long ago. Don grew up right below the Grassy Branch Baptist Church on the Old Farm S hook Rd. . I’ll do my best to be there for t on Monday at 3:00. God bless and bring comfort to you plus the whole family.
Ann, Christy and Stacy, Phil, David & Ronnie, I am so sorry that Steve has passed away. He was the oldest of our cousins which made him the biggest, the strongest and the smartest of us all. He taught me how to spit watermelon seeds, use a slingshot and the best hiding places at Mamaw & Papaw’s house. Steve introduced me to Scout and Boo Radley, John Steinbeck & Gandolf the Grey. I will cherish his memory. To me, he will always be the Prince of our family. Goodnight, Sweet Prince, and may angels sing thee to thy rest.
So sorry Ann we cant be there but be praying for you and the girls.
Ann sorry to hear of Steve passing,We will miss him at the lake,You and the girls are in our prayers God Bless.
Very good friends in High School with Steve and Ann..my heart goes out to the family..So sorry for your very special loss…I know he will be missed……….With all my love….Judy Miller Aycoth
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. One of my cousins that we were around each other when he was little. I loved his dad and mom and I know that Steve was a blessing to his family. God Bless you all and keep his spirit alive in you through the memories that you have and treasure them always.
Steve was my friend. For over 30 years we worked together, played together, and stood up for what we thought was right together. He loved his family very much, and was proud of all of them. I will miss him, and will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Love ya always will you and owen and bonzo have a good time untill we all meet again
Ann, I was so sad to hear about Steve’s passing. You guys were together as long as my Steve and I were together. I can remember lots of good times when we were younger. All the way back to elementary school. I just lost my Steve 10 months ago after being married 46 years so I can imagine how you must feel. You and your family will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers.
Ann, Christy and Stacy, I am so sorry to hear that Steve is gone. Please know I am sending you love and prayers for peace.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Everyone loved Steve, his personality radiated and his good looks stood out!
I will remember the good times. Especially the time Ann and I almost froze to death when Steve and Robert took us up to the top of the mountain. We covered our selves with a shared towel! I love you sister Ann!
To Stacy and Christy and the grandchildren:
We all know your daddy was one of a kind and kind indeed!
I will remember the good times.
So, until and if we ever meet again on this side of heaven know that I truly love all of you!
IF NOT: Happy trails to all
Rest in peace old friend.
Dear sweet Ann~~Be assured that Tom and I are asking our loving Lord to shelter and sustain you, your daughters, and your grandchildren under His wings. Praying you will fully experience the strength, comfort, and unexplainable peace that God will provide in the midst of the grief–and afterwards. These many loving tributes are evidence of Steve’s lasting heritage for your family. I treasure our fabulous memories of the RHS ‘daze.’ Sending hugs and prayers.
We are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. May God be with Ann and family.
We loved you Steve I known I am going to miss you–to the family we all loved him but GOD love him the best.
Steve was a fellow employee of the National Forests in North Carolina. You will be greatly missed. Ann you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending prayers to help you thru this time.
I worked with and for Steve at the Forest Service for a couple of years. Although we shared the same last name, we never did ascertain if we were related. Steve was a great friend, loved his family dearly, and stood for what he knew to be true.
Ann, Christy & Stacy we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers today and in the days to come.
Ann, Christy and Stacy I was very proud to have Steve as a cousin. His service in firefighting exhibited a strength of character that few have. Even as a young man growing up he was one of the nicest people I ever knew. I regret that due to a bad case of bronchitis I was unable to attend the service, but please be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this of sorrow.
To Mr. Cole’s family and friends –
The Cradle of Forestry is one of our favorite places to visit and we do it often. We know so much about the history of the area and the school, but know little about the individuals who helped make such a beautiful monument possible, accessible to so many people. During our next visit, we will remember Mr. Cole. What a wonderful legacy. Know how much what he helped do means to so many strangers.