Lawrence Cole Obituary

Lawrence Lavern "Larry" Cole

Lawrence "Larry" Cole passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Larry was born March 7, 1945, to Lyman Cole and Minnie Christine Cole.

Larry played golf. I mean Larry PLAYED golf. He played at the Eastern Hills Country Club. One year, he was the senior champion and the next year, he was the super senior champion, and he has the shoulder and elbow to prove it. Larry also played pool. Loved the game. He was always challenging himself. That was his way.

He was innovative in business. Starting in a tiny garage, he began designing and imagining things to make from outside customer orders, as well as unique designs and inventions of his own. His business grew to an internationally recognized design and manufacture of quality molds for innumerable products from hot wheels for kids, large triple slides for water parks to kayaks and canoes for most all the major brands. He owned and worked in his business for 46 years. He also had an designer aquarium business for 30 years. Among his designs were six-foot tall aquariums, headboard aquariums, and coffee table aquariums.

Larry walked the talk. He was talented and inventive without pretension or fanfare. He would come up with ideas that would astound and amaze. His quirky practicality was amusing and sensible, as perhaps is why he thought bed making was a waste of time since you were going to get right back in it that night. Thankfully, he had Sharon to tidy up after him and make him look good.

His professional cleverness was copied by many. His right brain would consider or imagine an idea, but Larry's dominant left brain would analyze the dickens out of it, so methodically that when his thought took its course, it was a near completed project. Also, he was always glad to share his knowledge, teaching anyone who asked for a bit of instruction in order to learn something new.

He loved his family completely and unwaveringly. He respected and was valued in return by his team at Cole Industries, his friends, old and new from his pool league to his neighbors, new and old and to those who are extensions of his friends and family. We are richer having known Larry. He has touched lives quietly making an impact that will last.

Larry is a child of God. Loves the Lord Jesus. And is beginning a new life without care or pain. He's being productive and involved. That is what made a good life for him. Heaven is not sprouting wings and playing harps. It's not dull. He will be deeply missed.

Larry is survived by his wife, Sharon of Heath, Texas; daughter, Kimberly (Jerry) Craig of Lavon, Texas; son, Shawn (Edith) Cole of Mesquite, Texas; sister, Peggy (Gene) Margraf of McCutchenville; brother, Doug (Denise) Cole of Findlay; brother, Jeff (Leah) Cole of Findlay; grandchildren, Samatha Vines, Justin Cole, Dawn Waggoner, and Gregory Craig; and great-grandchildren, Nathan Bailey, Juliete Vines, and Jaycee Cole.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyman and Minnie; son, Todd; brothers, Paul, David, Danny, Randy, and John "JC" Cole; and sisters, Nancy Diebley, Pat Kieffer, and Becky Themar.

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024, until the time of Larry's funeral at 11 a.m. at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, 205 W. Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio, 45840. Burial will follow at Arcadia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be shared with Lung Cancer Research Foundation at www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at coldrencrates.com.