Frank T. Cole Jr.

Frank T. Cole Jr., age 69, of Oak Ridge, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born March 6, 1944, to father Frank T. Cole Sr., and mother Ida Mae Cole (nee Fields).

Frank graduated from Quitman High School in Quitman, Ga., before joining the Air Force. He started out as a mechanic but cross-trained to work in radar where he spent the rest of his career in progressively more responsible positions.

He was passionately proud of his military service and spent many years as an active member of the VFW while living as a retiree in Eddington, Maine. His family, however, was most proud of the man he was outside of work. Frank never met a stranger. He looked past the exterior and befriended anyone who he believed to have a good heart.

He shared 47 years of laughing and loving with his wife, Dorothy. They explored the world together during his military assignments, raised children, and later became caretakers to Dorothy’s aunt and mother. Theirs was a home filled with friends and family. Once, on a Sunday afternoon when their children were small, a local politician showed up at the doorstep asking for votes. The politician’s children went to school with Frank’s and, as he surveyed the Monopoly board on the coffee table and the family gathered around it for an afternoon of togetherness, he commented that he should probably have been spending the afternoon more like Frank. Frank said, “My family are my riches.”

When his own parents passed, he and his siblings made a pact that they would stay tightly knit. They had regular gatherings filled with storytelling and kids sleeping on “pallets” on his brother’s living room floor. Memories were made as Aunt Betty’s good cooking was eaten.

Five years ago, Frank and Dorothy moved to Oak Ridge. This was a life-changing move. Rather than occasional visits, Frank became a fixture in his children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren’s lives, attending many an elementary school musical performance. He also, along with his wife, joined a church for the first time in his adult life. He loved the First Place contemporary service at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge and found many friends there. He always carried a cross in his pocket to give to a friend or stranger in need and gave to causes that moved his heart. He also began what he called his Truck Ministry. Even though he could no longer do the heavy lifting, he could provide his truck and drove it regularly in service of the Food for Kids Backpack program and the Ecumenical Storehouse.

Frank is survived by his wife Dorothy; daughter Julie Upham and son-in-law Jeremy Upham; daughter Debi Colvais and son-in-law Francis Colvais; granddaughters Karyssa Upham, Abby Colvais, Kelsi Upham, Marisa Colvais, and Lauren Upham; brother Benny Cole and sister-in-law Betty Cole; sister Evangeline Griffin; brother Harry Miley and sister-in-law Lisa Miley; sister-in-law Joan Diehl; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their spouses, most of whom are pretty sure they were his favorite.

He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Lamar and Reimer Miley, sister Lorene Cooper, and sister Judy Cole.

The family extends its warmest appreciation to the staff at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, especially those on the Coronary Critical Care Unit, for their kindness. The family would also like to thank all of the friends who have prayed, brought food, and offered more help than we can ever need; you have surrounded Frank and the family with an outpouring of love beyond understanding.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. A memorial service in the sanctuary will follow at 6 p.m.

Friends who would like to honor Frank may make a donation to the Food for Kids backpack program via First United Methodist Church or the Ecumenical Storehouse.

Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.