Charles Earl Cole
Charles Earl Cole, 87, of Crystal Beach (formerly of Bevil Oaks) passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, at home on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Charles was born on June 15, 1936, to R.V. and Edna Cole of Nederland, Texas. He was a proud and active member of the Nederland High School Class of 1954. Following high school, he attended the Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Following his Honorable Discharge, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.
After his time in the reserves, while living in Beaumont, Charles met a young nursing student and love of his life, Carlis Katherine Danna. They married in November 1962 and were preparing to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary this year. Charles and Carlis moved to Bevil Oaks in 1968 where they happily raised their two daughters, residing there until 2017. Their love of the beach led their family to the Bolivar Peninsula for every summer vacation and they purchased their first Crystal Beach home in 1988. They were proud to become full time residents in 2017 and have become an integral part of the community.
As a young man, Charles was a thrill seeker and obtained his pilot’s license, was a member of a competitive water ski club, and part of a drag racing team which set the world land speed record at 201.78 mph in 1960. Embracing their shared love of the ocean, Charles and Carlis both became certified scuba divers and spent many years diving with friends in the Caribbean. An avid fisherman, Charles fished the gulf, the bay, the lakes and enjoyed numerous fishing trips to Mexico.
Charles was the owner of Cole Automotive Paint & Supply in Beaumont for many years until his retirement and permanent move to the beach. As a selfless and doting father, husband, grandfather and friend, he led by quiet example. His work ethic was unmatched, he knew how to repair anything and solve any problem. Charles and Carlis played as hard as they worked and when not at the beach, you could find them at their deer lease hunting, riding their four wheelers and building lifelong friendships. They also had many adventures flying with their daughters and friends in Charles’ beloved Cessna.
Charles is survived by his wife and their two daughters, Stacey Cole of Crystal Beach and Layne Cole and her fiancé Wayne Roberts of Bryan, Texas, their beloved grandkids Brady Clark, Meagan Clark, Barrett Yoder, Adam Schwarzbach and Cole Schwarzbach, his brother-in-law, Thad Sitton, of Buna and numerous cousins and friends. He was the beloved Uncle Charles to numerous nieces and nephews, “Charlie”, “Charles Earl” and “Mr. Charles” to the many friends he cherished throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beautiful sister, Sue Cole Sitton.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.EyeSight.org or the local volunteer fire department of your choice.
A gathering of Charles’ family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 3, 2024, at Our Lady by the Sea Catholic Church, 2400 Highway 87, Crystal Beach. A reception and Celebration of Life will be held at Jose’s Restaurant, 1021 Hwy. 87, Crystal Beach immediately following the funeral. A private interment will be held at a later date.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Winnie
- 134, Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- June 2, 2024
- 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Mass
Our Lady By the Sea Catholic Church
- 2400, Texas 87, Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, 77650,
- June 3, 2024
- 10:00 am
Committal
Broussard’s Crematorium
- 5150, Stivers Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77705,
My dear Carlis, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.You’re in my heart.
Ms. Carlis,
My deepest condolences to you and your precious family!!! It was such a pleasure meeting you and Mr. Charles in Bolivar, Texas! Yall were such a blessing to see every time yall came in to eat at the restaurant!! I miss the beach and my beach family so much and I considered you and Mr. Charles a part of that family! Just know he is watching you and the girls and grandkids from heaven and is celebrating as we speak with family and friends… and Jesus! My thoughts and prayers will be with you all during these next few days and months to come. In having hip replacement surgery soon and won’t be able to make it to his services but know my heart is with you!!!
Love and hugs,
Your beach friend.
Vicki
Heartfelt condolences to Mr. Cole’s lovely wife, daughters and grandchildren. I became acquainted with him as a high school student in Beaumont, and experienced his considerate nature on a few occasions. I recall how he generously donated money to sponsor a city league basketball team which I was a part of, and also how he gifted me some paint to give my first car a much-needed makeover. Those acts of kindness made a lasting impression on that young high school kid, and are still appreciated some 40 years later. I pray that his loved ones can find peace in knowing he is in the joy of God’s presence and that his care and devotion to family and friends on earth will find eternal reward in heaven.
Sincerely,
J. Darrell Mohr
Charles was 7 years older than me. We grew up together on the weekends at Grandma’s & PaPa Lloyd’s farm outside DeRidder. We’ve had many good phone calls, keeping up with our family members. We always found something to laugh & kid about. It’s gonna be strange now not being about to swap stories of our latest medical procedures. I go in for my 15th back epidural tomorrow.
Charles & Carlis was so special to us. He will be missed for sure by many people!
God Bless all his family & friends!!
“Little/Big” Larry
My love for Carlis and Charles is unmeasurable and now I know what’s it’s like to have a real love. You two are such an inspiration to the whole universe and I thank God I got to know who Charles was
I have known Charles for a long time, started 1st grade & graduated with him 1954
In school he was fun to be around ,i thought he was so handsome.
My love & condolences to his sweet wife & family.
Dearest friends. I read of Charles’ homegoing and wanted to relate what good neighbors they were in Bevil Oaks. Carliss and Charles were made for each other and you could see that when in their company. Charles was such a sweet man, could fix anything and read voraciously. My family loved them and counted them as dear friends. Charles has seen the face of Jesus. Until we meet again. Linda Thomas
Linda, your family was more than neighbors and more than friends, you became our family. Love the Coles
Charles was one of our most favorite people! His devotion to Carlis taught us all what a marriage should look like. His love for his daughters and grandchildren was evident by the huge smile on his face whenever he (always!) bragged about them. My Boyfriend, you will be missed!
Linda, your family was more than neighbors and more than friends, you became our family. Love the Coles
What a beautiful testament to such a sweet man, he will be missed. I have many wonderful memories of summers spent at the beach with Layne and the Cole family.
Heaven has gained an angel. I know he is celebrating in heaven with all our loved ones that have gone before him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom and the entire family at this time of loss.
My deepest condolences my friend.
Charles loved you both our awesome friends. Charles once said “ everytime I see a beet, I think of Michael”. Love, Carlis
A beautiful tribute to a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him. Sending Uncle Charles’ beloved family our deepest condolences and love.
Oh how deeply we love our precious family❤️
Sending lots of love and prayers to the entire Cole family. Rest In Peace, Papa Cole…you are missed dearly but know you are celebrating Up Above with all of our loved ones that have passed. You have a beautiful family that will carry on your legacy with strength and grace…just like you did!
Hello sweet girl, we were indeed blessed when you and your family became part of our lives ❤️
What a beautifully written testament to a wonderful man. I will miss him very much. You could not ask for a greater Uncle. See you one day Uncle Charlie. Say hello to Mom!
Sue and Charles are now our Guardian Angels as is Precious Harry. Love, Aunt Carlis