George Martin Cole, 95, passed away on October 2nd, 2012. He was born on July 7th, 1917 to Annie Laurie Martin and Enser William Cole in Lenoir, NC. He proudly served his country as a pilot in the Navy during World War II and witnessed several historical events while serving on the carriers in the North Atlantic. He was a flight deck officer when George Bush, Sr., was certified for carrier landings. He worked as a real estate broker and taught shop, math, and electronics at DuPont and Wolfson High Schools. He is predeceased by his wife, Louise Norris Corbin Cole; daughter, Carolyn Mumford and granddaughter, Tracy Allen. George is survived by his daughter, Barbara Cole Rawl; grandson, Ryan Cole Rawl, great-granddaughter, Olivia Leighton Rawl; sisters, Margaret Walker of Apex, NC, and Jenny Mauhs of Cobleskill, NC; brother, Stanley Bud Cole of Knoxville, TN, and Anna Laura Mackey of FL. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223.

Published in the Florida Times-Union on Oct. 7, 2012