Stephen Hugh Cole
February 23, 1959 ~ August 4, 2006
Resided in:
Black Mountain, NC
Asheville - Steve Cole, 47, a native of Ashe-ville, was taken from us on Friday, Aug. 4, 2006.
Steve attended grade school at Country Day School and was a 1976 graduate of T.C. Roberson High School where he was a member of the championship T.C. Roberson basketball team during both his junior and senior years. Steve attended UNC-Wilmington and later became manager over a popular Topsail resort and The Blockade Runner.
Steve came back to Western North Carolina and became general manager over High Hampton Inn in Cashiers for several years and, later on, Glen Cannon Country Club in Brevard. During his wonderfully fruitful and productive life, he was a member of Carolina Real Estate Investor's Association.
Steve loved life, his children, his wife, his family and his friends. Steve was the con-summate gentleman, well read and well trav-eled. He was devoted, supportive, encourag-ing, always giving of himself, always listening and never was one to criticize or complain. Steve was very generous and lived his life selflessly to help others. He is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, partner and companion. He loved hik-ing, camping, fishing, boating and snow ski-ing. His passions in life were Tarheel basket-ball and ocean sailing. He had his captain's license and had made several trips sailing in the Caribbean with his wife. He was adven-turous, lived life to its fullest and was a bless-ing to all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marsha Cole; mother, Barbara Jean Byrd Cole; sis-ter, Jennifer Byrd Cole Messick; stepchildren, Chris Sigmon and Betsy Buckingham; and grandchildren, Scout and Carson Sigmon and Trey and Max Buckingham.
The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Acton United Methodist Church in Candler.
Groce Funeral Home on Long Shoals Road is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Asheville office.
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Marsha:
Words cannot express how sorry I was to hear of Steve’s passing. I have a great memory of you and Steve at Barley’s when we threw you a going away party as you left Blue Ridge.
I wish you and your family comfort in the days ahead.
Greta
My sincerest condolences to the Cole family. Steve and I were good friends at UNC-W. We shared a love of Asheville (my native town as well), the mountains and the ocean. He was a great friend and a very enjoyable person. We had lost touch and I had not seen him in almost 20 years. Ironically we both ended up back in Asheville. I am very sad that he was so near and I missed out on knowing him as an adult.
I was saddened to learn of Steve’s death from family living in Asheville. Steve and I were on the TC basketball team together. I have many great memories of those days. Steve was a friend and always kind to all! The Lineback family will keep you in our prayers in the days ahead.
Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you – With Deepest Sympathy
Marsha
Words cannot express our sorrow for your loss. We will always remember Steve as the fun loving considerate guy who loved everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Jay & Dean
There are no words. To hear of Steve’s passing has left me without words. Steve and I graduated from Roberson together, and I have such wonderful memories of him as a fun-loving, kind, and caring friend. He embodied so, so many wonderful qualities. Know that you are in my prayers.
Steve was one of the most compassionate, caring, kindest and loyal friends I have ever had. He was also the best boss I have ever worked for. We had many wonderful times at work since we sat face to face for 7 years. He loved his wife and family very much and was willing to work hard to accomplish all of their goals. He will never be forgotten and will always be loved. May God Bless him.
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. STEVE WAS A GREAT BOSS AND FRIEND. HE WILL BE MISSED GREATLY.MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY DURING THIS SAD TIME.
We wish to express our sympathies over the loss of Stephen. Truely a man dearly loved and never to be forgotten!
Polly Kiser
Ann Kiser Fagan
Dearest Marsha,Chris, Beth, and other family members.
My heart goes out to you, may you know that I am here for all of you.
My prayers and thoughts are with you. I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Steve. I had only known him such a short time, but long enough to know what a wonderful person he was to all that knew him. Please know that I am here for you if you need anything at all , even just to talk. May God’s strength be with you at this time and continue to carry you throughout the days ahead. Cathy Lynch of Mooresville ,NC
To the family,
So sorry to hear of this terrible loss. Steve was a great friend and roommate. Myra and I had the pleasure of seeing him and Marsha years ago on a trip to Ashville. We are deeply sorry to hear of this loss.
Eric and Myra Hubbard
Dear Marsha,
I want to tell you how sorry I am to hear of Steve’s most untimely death. Russ and Lee called to tell me and I was speachless. I think you probably remember that I too lost a husband I dearly loved. He died on the golf course at the age of 37. This is a shock and grief that only those who have experienced can fathom. My heart goes out to you as I can remember the pain and sorrow of that unexpected loss as though it happened yesterday. Friends will tell you that time heals everything. I can tell you that time stands still for a very long time after a life altering loss. I will also share with you that Steve is not gone completely from you. Look around you at home or in the places you two shared. He will let you know he is fine and that he will always be there when you least expect it. A song will play on the radio that had special meaning to you and him. Pay close attention as he will try to ease your pain from where ever it is we go when we leave this Earth. My David still leaves small signs and it is 21 years since he passed. I have always enjoyed Steve’s sense of humor and your friendship. Take care of yourself and don’t expect too much of yourself in the days to come. Healing takes a long time. Keep his laugh and love in your heart. Chris
Dear Marsha,
I have been lucky to have several great mentors in my life, and Steve was one of the most pivitol. Steve embodied a spirit of entrepreneurship that I’ve always admired and aspired to emulate.
He was always looking for ways to achieve his goals and dreams. His tenacity always inspired me and showed me that life’s goals are attainable if you’re willing to go after them with enough passion.
I am lucky to have known him. I am a better man as a result: more ambitious, optimistic and hopeful than I would have ever been without his example.
I am very sorry this has happened, and I very sorry that I cannot be there with you today. Please know that Steve’s spirit lives on in me and everyone like me who drew the strength to dream from his example.
With fond memories and deepest sympathies.
Charles Miller
Townes Miller
Martha Miller
Beth Miller
John Milton
from Paradise Lost, Book 4: 639-56
With thee conversing I forget all time,
All seasons and their change, all please alike.
Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet
With charm of earliest birds; pleasant the sun
When first on this delightful land he spreads
His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flow’r,
Glist’ring with dew; fragrant the fertile earth
After soft showers; and sweet the coming on
Of grateful evening mild, then silent night
With this her solemn bird and this fair moon,
And these the gems of heav’n, her starry train.
But neither breath of morn when she ascends
With charm of earliest birds, nor rising sun
On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, flow’r,
Glist’ring with dew, nor fragrance after showers,
Nor grateful evening mild, nor silent night
With this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon,
Or glittering starlight without thee is sweet.
Dear Marsha,
It was with shock and sadness that I learned of the loss of Steve very recently. I cannot imagine how hard this time must be for you for I know how incredibly close you and your husband were in your wonderful marriage. I remember you as two very good neighbors for many years down in the woods behind the Racquet Club. Starting with our carpooling with Betsy and Barclay to Estes School and all these years later of your many smiles and hellos as I would see the both of you together so often over the years, almost a daily basis. Both of you always had time for being kind and neighborly and it was with sadness that I saw you move from our neighborhood this past year. I am just so terribly sorry that Steve was taken so young from such a life that he clearly loved. It was a wonderful family that you made together and you will always have the love as the legacy and gift of that time. I am also very sorry for your children and grandchildren. I know they adored each other and he was a wonderful dad to them. Please have my deepest condolences and know we are thinking of you.
Your neighbors for many years, Debra , Barclay, Ali and Bill Simons
I’m so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a great friend to many of us back in Wilmington. I was so glad to see him some years ago with his wife at Wrightsville Beach. My thoughts are with you all.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire family. We just found out the tragic news and have reflected on fond memories of our dear friend and roommate at UNCW. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Family and Friends,
I am saddened by the news of Steve’s passing. I am left with many fond memories of our time spent together while we were at UNCW.
Dear Marsha,
I am so shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news. I just can’t imagine what you must be going through. I have such fond memories of working with you and Steve, what fun we had! He is such a joy to be around, so upbeat and positive, so easy in his certainty that everything would all work out in the end, even when all around him we were stressing out. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, and would love to spend time with you whenever you feel like it. Please call me; I drive over Hwy 9 everyday to work and back and would love to stop in.
With love,
Teresa
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of and old and dear friend. I knew Steve well in our days at UNCW and as room-mates.I regret that I did not stay in touch with him in the years that have passed but I am sure he touched the lives of all who knew him in a positive way. My wife never met
Steve, but she has heard of me talk of him many times about the ‘good ole college days’. I send my deepest regrets to all who knew and loved Steve.
Dearest Dr. Cole and Jennifer,
I am so sorry about your loss. I know this must be a blow to you both. If Stephen’s picture had not been in here, I would have never known how much he looks like you, Dr. Cole. I know how much the two of you enjoyed sailing together. May God Bless you both,
Donna and Colton Sharpe