John Pendleton Cole, III

John Pendleton Cole, III, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Caromont Regional Medical Center. He was born on February 11, 1937 in Culpeper, VA to the late Gladys Creech Welham and John Pendleton Cole, II.

Mr. Cole was raised in Coral Gables, FL in his formative years. He was an all-state select wide receiver while also excelling in track at Coral Gables High School. Mr. Cole was always a fit guy. He enjoyed staying in shape through running and biking.

He attended The Citadel in Charleston, SC and was also a Marine going through boot camp in Parris Island, SC. He loved the discipline aspect of both institutions.

He worked for several tire distributors during his working career but mostly with Firestone/Bridgestone. He loved the art of selling while creating life-time friendships with customers that remained even after his retirement.

Mr. Cole had a strong faith and was a Christian. His journey was a personal and private affair and his family saw his faith grow a great deal in his passing years.

Mr. Cole was a big sports fan, especially college and pro-football. He loved the Carolina Panthers and always scheduled his chores around all the good games over the weekend. In his retirement years, he was an avid reader and even with the onset of the internet, he would always go back to the Encyclopedia Britannica for research.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by his wife of 45 years, Delorise Caison Cole.

He is survived by his daughter, Lynda Cole Sanderson and husband John of Albemarle and his son, John Pendleton Cole, IV of Gastonia.

Mr. Cole had a special relationship with his entire family. When he married Delorise, he entered into a larger family that he always cherished. He had a special relationship with his sister-in-law, Shelby Mozingo of Goldsboro, NC. He would always say that Shelby is “special”.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. A committal service will immediately follow at Gaston Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank his good neighbor Scott Crawford – He loved you as one of his own and loved you dearly. Thank you for your compassion and all you did for our dad.

To the staff at Caromont Health: Dr. Maria Glenn and RN’s Meghan Flanagan and Crissy Lee thank you for the compassion, grace and love that you showed our father. It was truly amazing – you were all his “angels” on that day. Our entire family thanks you.

The family would also like to thank Ingrid Hooper, who is John IV’s dear friend and neighbor. She was also there when Mr. Cole passed away to help provide comfort and support during a difficult time.

Please visit carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com to leave fond memories of John and expressions of sympathy to the Cole Family.