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COLE, Jr., Claude Cecil Cole Jr, Claude Cecil age 70 of Douglasville, GA died on February 2, 2018. Cecil was a Vietnam Purple HeartVeteran of the Marines. He was proud of his service and loved his Country. A loving father and devoted husband. Married to his late wife Velma Jo Cole. Survived by his daughter Jennifer and husband Roy, and grandchildren Owen, Kolbe, Katie and Olivia Hardin, sister Roberta Sutton, brother Daryl Cole and his wife Deborah, and four nieces, and two nephew.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Feb. 18, 2018 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=claude-cecil-cole&pid=188215993
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Robin Morgan
I am saddened to learn of Cecils's passing. I am thinking we must have shared some Grady times, but to my loss, I never knew Cecil at that time. Now I learn that he is a Brother Marine who has been called to his final duty station. God must have needed one good Marine. If I make the same transfer as Cecil, I will certanly want to share a Marine's love witrh him.
Semper Fi Brother,
See you someday,
Robin Morgan
Alvin Townley Jr
Getting ready for the 50th reunion brought me in contact with Cecil on numerous occasions. All contact was by telephone until the weekend of the reunion. While Cecil was not able to actually attend the reunion he did arrive in time for the dedication of fellow Vietnam Vet, Buzzy Grimes' memorial bench at Grady high school. The sight of Cecil, confined to a wheelchair and being pushed by his grandson is a memory I will always hold. Cecil served our country and knew what was important. He honored Buzzy with his presence. I will miss talking to Cecil, but I will always remember him and Never forget his sacrifice for our country.
Ann Irwin (Williams)
When I read about Cecil's passing, I, too, was quickly taken back to the day of Buzzy's bench dedication at Grady. I was so glad to see him there, and I believe he was genuinely happy to see us also. Why else would he have made such a huge effort to be there? In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit that Cecil and I shared a very special bond......one that we laughed about that Saturday at Grady. Cecil and I played football together. Yes, we lived about three blocks apart and "the gang" played neighborhood football games over on a grass island on Lanier Blvd most afternoons in the Fall. Naturally, I was the only girl playing, but that was OK. The guys let me in the game and I simply couldn't wait to get out there most afternoons after the hours spent earlier in the day at Morningside. OK, Cecil.....I hope you somehow know that I just owned-up to our secret. If so, I know you are laughing!
Brita Molkner (Levy)
When I read about Cecil's passing, I, too, thought about seeing him at Grady for the dedication of the benches. I was touched that his grandson was pushing his wheelchair and sad that Cecil was not well. I am glad that I got to see him.
David Nash
This sad news comes as a complete surprise to me. I talked to Cecil about two weeks before he died. He had just put his house on the market and was looking forward to moving to Ft. Myers to live with his daughter. It seems I am again behind Cecil-in December '68 I made a run into Khe San to see Cecil, I was told he had left that morning for Dong Ha for the Bob Hope Christmas show. It turned out he had been wounded that morning and medivac'd out to Dong Ha.We never made contact until we were both home. It was great to see him at 50th.Well Marine no more pain.
Semper Fi
Lynn Argo (Argo)
I too was very saddened about the passing of Cecil. He was always a good friend in high school. We did not connect very often after graduation but it was great seeing him at the reunion. I think Cecil found his home and his calling in the Marines and we will always honor him and thank him for his service.
Carolyn Johnson (Faglier)
My husband and I ran in to Cecil and his grandson in front of Grady trying to make our way to the bench dedication in honor of Buzzy. He introduced himself and his grandson. He was in a wheelchair. In my mind's eye I saw that thin teenage boy from our days @ Grady. Looking @ him then I had the feeling that he had experienced much loss in his life and that life had not always been good to him. I felt sadness overcome me. I did not personally know Cecil @ Grady but I am happy that our paths crossed that day. I felt that familiar bond to him in that fleeting moment as I felt at the reunion and the 70th birthday get together. He was a part of you, me, all of us. I wish I had realized how special those Grady years were back then. I wish I had taken the time to know more of you then but life goes around but once. Seeing you guys @ the reunion and some again at the 70th has really added something very special to my life. I seriously considered not going because I was ashamed of who I had become but I could not be happier that I did go. Now I have some new and wonderful memories that have been added to my old ones. All of you have touched my life in such a special way and I won't let myself forget you ever again. I owe some of that graditude to Cecil. He really opened my eyes and my heart to what is really important in life honoring people we've lost and loving and respecting those we still have. Rest well Cecil. Family and friends will miss you.
Rusty Brooke
I remember Cecil from when we were both in ROTC at Grady and from the 50th Grady Class Reunion. Cecil came to the dedication of the memorial bench for Buzzy Grimes in a wheelchair. His grandson pushed him and there was a wonderful bond between the two of them. He did us all a great honor by his presence at the reunion in spite of all the hardship. After the dedication we talked about the reunion and how much it meant to me that he was able to come to the bench dedication. Cecil served in the Marines in Vietnam and was wounded in action there. He is a great credit to our class and to the Marines and will be sorely missed by us all.