David Cole Obituary

Rev. David Phillips Cole

Rev. David Phillips Cole, 91, of Sumter, South Carolina, passed away Thursday May 11, 2023.

He was a retired minister who served in Ohio and was a life-long elder of United Methodist Church.

David is survived by four children, Brenda (Nancy McConn) Cole, Vicki Gray, Renee (Andrew) Hvizdos, and Greg (Tricia Fugee) Cole; sisters, Vera Cole and Grace Van Horn; grandchildren, Kale Lohman, Annie Temple, Aaron (Tonia Marie) Cowell, Erin (Edgar) Becerra, Seth (Amber) Gray, Matthew Cook, Tyler (Kira) Cook, Josh (Beth) Cole, Samantha (James) Beams, Ian (Nicole) Perdomo-Cole, Jessi Cole, Brett Cole, Alex Cole, Valerie Fleming, and Michael Fleming; 18 great-grandchildren; stepgranddaughter, Debbie Cook; and many nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Alice Mae Cole; former wife, Janet B. Cole; brothers-in law, the Rev. Harry Cole and Al Van Horn; daughter, Charisa Grim; and son-in-law, S. Richard Cook Sr.

David was born Sept. 15, 1931, in Kenton, to Howard and Alice Mae Cole. He grew up in Ohio and graduated from Wharton High School in 1949. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 from Findlay College, Bachelor of Divinity in 1960 from Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Bachelor of Divinity in 1963 from Oberlin College, and Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. He served Church of God and United Methodist Church as minister in Ney, Edon, Deshler, and Carey.

David also had a love for those living in Haiti and took many mission trips to serve the people there. David loved to fly and for many years, was a flight instructor and broker for personal airplanes and jets. In later life, he resided in Melbourne, Florida, where he was a faithful and supportive member of Suntree United Methodist Church. He continued to be a member of that church after he moved to Covenant Place retirement community in Sumter, South Carolina, where he had bible study, prayer services, and provided Christian support for the other residents there.

He will be cremated and laid to rest beside his parents in Wharton Cemetery with a private grave site burial service to be conducted by Pastor Pryer of Wharton Church of God in August of this year.

The family of David wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the devoted doctors, nurses, and staff at Prisma Health Toumey Hospital who supported him at the time of his passing.

Donations may be made to the "David Cole Memorial for Cuban Missions" at Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, Florida, 32940.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.