David Cole, Sr.

David Warren Cole, Sr. 93, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on June 29, 2016. He was the second of four children of Stacy May Maxwell Cole (Gracie May) and Pearl John Cole. He was born at home in Marshall, Missouri on January 21, 1923. David attended elementary and high school in Marshall. He attended University of Missouri until the break out of WWII when he enlisted in the Army. David was a sergeant in the US Army and helped defend the Aleutian Islands in the Pacific. After returning from duty in 1944 and stationed at Camp Blanding, David met his wife Emma Irene Dukes in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. David and Irene were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida on April 28, 1946. The following year the couple relocated to Miami, Florida, Houston, Texas, and Washington, D.C., where David attended the National Institute of Cleaners and Dyers. After completing his training, the couple returned to Florida. David began his career in dry cleaning at Zoric Cleaners in St. Augustine, Florida. Not long after, the family moved back to Jacksonville to start their own business and raise their family.

David and Irene opened their first dry cleaning business, Cole’s Cleaners in 1947 in Jacksonville Beach at the corner of 6th Avenue and Third Street. In 1950 they welcomed their first child Cynthia Irene. In 1953 they were blessed with a son David Warren, Jr. Completing their family a second daughter Mary Kathleen arrived in 1959.

Through the years he ran several successful businesses with Irene. He was an exceptionally dedicated husband and father. He was always very generous and giving to his family. In his leisure time, David was a lifetime avid golfer. He was a founding member of Selva Marina Country Club and a member of the Rotary Club. He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church for six decades. David was always kind, loving and positive. He loved a joke and had a smile for everyone he met. He enjoyed making friends in business and on the golf course. David always had a special charm about him. He was thoughtful, charming and very well liked by people. One of his greatest joys was attending his children and grandchildren’s many sports and activities. David had a close relationship with the Lord and always attended Sunday Mass. He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends.

David was predeceased by his dear wife of 67 years, Emma Irene Cole, his parents, his beloved son, David Warren Cole, Jr., his brothers, John Charles Cole and Dr. William Robert Cole.

David is survived by his sister Martha Lea Cole Bagg (Bill), daughter Cynthia Irene Rains (John), daughter Mary Kathleen Malz (Nicholas), a daughter-in-law Kathleen Louise Cole (David, Jr.), granddaughter Amy Irene Nix (Ryan), grandson William David Cole, granddaughter Emma Elizabeth-Ann Cole, grandson Nicholas Cole Malz, granddaughter Channing Mae Malz, grandson Zachary Warren Malz, great grandsons Jackson Duke Nix, Wyatt Dean Nix and Landon Warren Nix, niece Jan Ferris Neely (David), nephew Julian Stevers Ferris, Jr. (Elaine), niece Patricia Irene Carter, nephew James Daniel Hogg and nephew Cannie Lee Cody.

The family would like to thank his dedicated, loving and gentle caregivers Lind Lomboy, Paraluman Moebes and Espie Salisbury.

Family and friends will gather from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2016 in Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6th in St. Paul’s Catholic Church of Jacksonville Beach. Interment will follow in H. Warren Smith Cemetery.