Joe Kole

Joe Kole, age 59, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Joe was born on October 26, 1962 in Niles, Michigan to Ernest and Mabelle (Nelson) Kole. He moved to Houston, TX to attend college. While there, he met Sarah Robb while working together at Home Depot in Houston, TX. Sarah and Joe were married on May 18, 1991. A year later, they moved to Phoenix, AZ in search of mountains, where they chose to raise and grow their family.

Joe has always worn many hats; a plumber, an electrician, an A/C Tech, swamp cooler repairman, and woodworker, to name a few. These hats all pale in comparison to the three he has always worn best: Husband, Dad and Papa. The people that are fortunate enough to know Joe know. Actions speak louder than words; Joe is proof of that. A man of few words, but if you’ve ever been the recipient of a smile, a smirk, a joke, a nickname, a wave, a pat on the back, a helping hand, or a hug; you know.

Family, fishing, Notre Dame football and bad beer. Family isn’t always easy, but loving them is simple. You don’t always catch anything fishing, but getting out there and casting a line is simple. Notre Dame football isn’t always easy to watch, but turning on the TV every Saturday and staying a fan is simple. Bad beer… Well, bad beer is just simple. For a man that owns a quantum physics book, it’s really all very simple.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 32 years Sarah; his children Crystal (Peewee) Haire, Kimberly (Punk/Punkin) Lange, and Ryan (The Boy) Kole; their spouses Adam Haire, Mitchell Lange, and Jessica Kole; his grandchildren Logan (Wolverine) Shields, Cooper (Coopa) Lange, Graham (Graham Cracker) Haire, Lennon (Lenny Ray) Haire, and Parker (Peanut) Jo; his siblings Robert Kole, Margi Gregory, and Anne Short, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.phoenixmemorialmortuary.com for the Kole family.

Family and friends, please share your memories and any photos of Joe with the Kole family at [email protected]