Gerald Cole's Obituary
Tapestry of My Life
Mr. Gerald Cole was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on October 22, 1925, at 11:50 p.m. Gerald was the eldest child born to the late James and Ruthie Cole. He has three siblings who proceeded him in death. Geraldine, Bertha and a nameless still-born baby.
While growing up in Blytheville, Gerald worked his first job at an early age, picking cotton. Which was quite the task for someone his age and size. As a matter of fact, he was quite proud of the amount he had amassed.
It was there in Arkansas where he learned to fish and hunt. It was there where he developed a lifelong love affair and with the two. At the time of his transition he still had in his possession his Father’s gun. The gun his Mother used to teach him how to hunt. It was the gun his Father hung over the door of the family’s home in Arkansas, for protection. The gun that has a history.
Gerald grew up in Arkansas until the age of fourteen, when his parents decided to venture to Detroit, Michigan. Finding a better life for their family. Gerald became a first-time father as a teenager, to a son named William “Butch” from an earlier relationship. “Butch” proceeded him in death. Gerald went on to have nine more children, from his union with Maggie Willie Johnson. They were Enoch, James, Ronald, Belinda, Gerald Jr., Ricky, Steven and Antoinette. Enoch, Gerald Jr., Ronald and Ricky proceeded him in death. Gerald was also the Father of another son from a previous relationship, named Kenneth.
Gerald entered the United States Military Service, On December 29, 1943. He served in the branch of the Army of the United States. He was Honorably Discharged on March 23, 1946. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was awarded for his Military Service with five Medal: Good Conduct. American Campaign, Honorable Service Lapel Button-WWII, and Marksmen Badge and Carbine Bar.
Later in life Gerald attended Auto School, where he studied to become an Automobile Mechanic. He decided to switch gears and become a Carpenter/Construction Worker. Gerald has left his mark of the working of his hands on projects that include, Wayne State Parking Garage, the parking addition onto Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit and was part of various construction crews on various freeways and other edifices in and around Michigan.
Gerald could just about fix anything ad make anything thought unfixable, workable. Gerald was given two nicknames regarding this. One was given to him by James “Beetalbomb” Griffin, “McGyver”. The other was given by his son John,
“Cole Creator”. It was amazing to see some of the things he did with little of nothing.
Gerald had a secret hidden talent. He could decorate the heck out of a Christmas Tree. That’s right. The Man could decorate a Christmas Tree. He knew exactly how to adorn the bulbs, light and all the other ornaments. He really had a knack for this. After exposing his talent, he became the official “Christmas Tree Decorator”.
Gerald was a jack of all trades who could master whatever he touched. He loved working “Word Find” Puzzles, Local, National and International News. He loved playing Checkers and he was very good at playing. Often times while playing you’d here “King ME”, that meant he took your checker. He enjoyed watching sports, well except for curling. He’d always rooted for the Home Team, even when they played against his favorite players. LeBron James One of the more prominent players was a favorite of his. He called him “James”.
On of Gerald’s most joyous moments in life was the 2008 Presidential Election. He witnessed Barack H. Obama become President of these United States. Gerald loved Gardening, he truly had a proverbial “green thumb”. He was in “Heaven on Earth” when he planted his vegetable garden. He enjoyed seeing the labor of his work, it was magical.
Gerald also loved cooking. He was making Burger King Whoppers, before Burger King. He loved frying fish, not just for himself but for anyone that wanted it. He also loved cooking racoon, Gerald made the best racoon. “Coon” as he called it. He would soon have those who had turned their nose upward at the mere mention of racoon and food in the same sentence. Gerald loved eating homemade soup, preverbally his own. Especially oxtail soup. Sometimes he would make it three or four times a week. He loved him some soup. Gerald was hospitalized and didn’t like the hospitals cuisine. His doctor asked, “Does Mr. Cole have any of that soup in the freezer?” I responded. “probably so”. She said, “Bring some to him”. I said to the hospital?” She replied, “Yes”!
Although, Gerald didn’t attend church service, he did accept Christ as his Savior. The church was within him, he was indeed Saved. He loved the Lord and believed in Him. He never lost his Faith. He has had to deal with hypertension, thyroid problems, numerous surgeries (hernia, hand, and spinal), kidney disease, and heart disease he battled. Gerald was also a Cancer Survivor. He took it all on strongly, bravely and never complained. That’s who he was. STRONG! He always had faith, that “what will be, will be”. He never complained about his life situation, not once.
Gerald was an original member of the Eight Marksmen Hunting Club. Along with Issnell “Sam” Rogers, Oscar “Big O” Abney, James “Bettlelbomb” Griffin, William “Bill” Lawrence, Willie “Neal” Neal, William “Billy” Southers, Arthur Booker, Eugene “Rev” Seaborn, and Leon Martin. The remaining Marksmen are Issnell Rogers, James Griffin, William Lawrence, Arthur Booker and Leon Martin.
Gerald and his Wife Juanita, whom he called “Nita” were the parents of three children. Angelique Michelle’, John Julian, Alexandria Danielle.
Gerald was hospitalized at Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Point, on Sunday, May 6, 2018. After he was diagnosed he was discharged, at that time Gerald and his Wife Juanita, both went to their Daughter and Son-In-Laws home (Alexandria and Kelsey), for hospice loving care.
The night of May 15th, Gerald and Juanita went to sleep holding on to one another’s hand. The following morning, May 16th, his Wife Juanita felt Gerald’s hand release from hers. She noticed he wasn’t breathing like previously. She leaned in to kiss him and heard him take his last breath. She looked at the time, it was 9:53 a.m. His Wife Juanita was with him at his life’s ending. It was truly a loving and beautiful moment. Peaceful, NO suffering, NO moaning, NO fighting. He left this earth like the Strong Black Man he was.
Gerald leaves behind a Wife, Juanita Elizabetha’, 4 sons; John (Kutee), James (Renata), Kenneth (Margie), Steven ( Cacania), 5 daughters; Aneglique’ (Rubie), Alexandria (Kelsey), Brenda, Beinda (Kevin), and Antoinette (David), 46 Grandchildren; 58 Great Grandchildren; 13 Great - Great Grandchildren; a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.
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