Eugene Dwight Cole, Jr., "Gene", 78, of Culver, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023.
Gene was born on December 24, 1944, to Doris Alter, nee Smith, and Eugene D. Cole Sr., in Marion, Indiana. After graduating from Fairmount High School in 1964, he went on to serve in the US Army at Fort Knox.
After his service, Gene joined Inland Steel, kick starting a 30-year career in transportation. He also fulfilled his dream of becoming a farmer, simultaneously farming more than 600 acres in addition to his full-time employment at Inland Steel. While running his own farm, he grew corn, soybeans, and sometimes mint, as well as raising pigs and cattle.
Gene retired (sort of) and spent his days enjoying second careers driving RVs and trucks across the country, and spending time with his beloved second wife, Teri Lee, who preceded him in death and whom he missed terribly.
Gene was an incredibly hard-working, loving father and Papaw. The only thing he loved more than the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts was spending time with his family. He was known to appear at every sporting event, recital, or awards ceremony - often arriving hours early. His love and presence were felt by all of this children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His Sunday dinners with Benjamin were the highlight of his week.
Gene is survived by his stepmother, Wanda Cole, sisters, Ruth Smith and Vicki Harrell of Bainbridge, GA, Mary Stroup of Miramar, FL, and Shirley Chapel of Jonesboro, IN, his children: Trela Good of Marion, Michelle Cole of Terre Haute, John (Amanda) Cole of Knox, and Tonya (Phillip) Combs of Indianapolis, stepchildren: Daniel (Zulema) Lee of South Bend, Melissa Craig-Lee of Culver, Karen Lee of Mishawaka, Anna Kehoe of Ft. Myers, FL, Greg (Shea) Lee of Culver, Mary (Jef) Gates of South Bend, Lily (David) Lee Arzola of Culver, Joseph Lee of Mishawaka, and Samantha (David) Blosser of Indianapolis, grandchildren: Cecilie and Finnely Combs, Lukas and Lamar Cole, Ariel and Dougie Good, David Carlos, Deni Garcia, Irasema Garcia, Jacob Lee, Zane Lee, Marshall Anderson, Marcellus Anderson, Marquez Anderson, Joshua Barnes, Noah Barnes Savannah Barnes, Benjamin Lee, Leighton Lee, Harper Kehoe, Madelyn Grace, Lucille, Van and Lee, and great grandchildren, Lucas, Peyton, Paislee, and Marshall Jr., Noah Garcia, Dani Garcia, and many many honorary grandchildren.
Gene was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Cole, Sr., mother Doris Alter, brother, David Cole, first wife, Margie Cole, nee Parrish, with whom he raised his surviving children, and second wife, Teri Lee, nee Throneberry.
Services will be held at the Odom Funeral Home, Culver, on May 20, 2023 at 3:15 PM EDT with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM EDT. Burial will follow at Burr Oak Cemetery.
In lie of flowers, the family requests that you arrive early at your next family event, cheer on the Indianapolis Colts this season, and consider donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization about which Gene felt strongly.
