Grady Cole

On July 26th 2022 Grady Cole was told, "Well done thy good and faithful servant" as he was welcomed into Heaven. Grady was born on June 14, 1935 in Blackwater, Virginia to the late Elmer and Elizabeth Cole.

Growing up with no running water or electricity his childhood was filled with hard work, outdoor adventures and a few tales of mischief including that one time he sold one of his mother's prized chickens for a bag of candy at the country store. At the age of 18 Grady sought a new adventure when he moved to Dayton, Ohio. Initially employed by Siebenthaler's Nursery where he honed his skill of being able to identify any species of tree or plant, Grady then worked and retired from the City of Dayton in the Bridge Maintenance Department. During the days of CB radios his handle was appropriately - "Bridge Hanger". Grady taught his children the importance of hard work and education when he bravely obtaining his GED as an adult to receive a promotion with the City.

Grady was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in New Lebanon. He served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, RA Leader and bus driver among other positions. He rarely met a stranger and wasn't afraid to ask any new acquaintance, "do you know the Lord?" In fact, Grady led many people to Christ over the years during church visitation, hospital visits and even random encounters at the mall while his wife shopped.

In his prime Grady had many talents including western gun spinning, fishing, roller skating, rabbit hunting, pitching a softball, tending a large garden with his green thumb, and…although no award was officially given, Grady's sausage gravy is renowned as being the best in the world.

Grady is preceded in death by his siblings Nora Rutherford (Cecil), Elsa Cole (Beverly), Gloria Jean Houndshell (Banard) and Ruth Greer.

Left to cherish his memory are the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Gladys "Bunny" Cole, children Eric Cole (Tina), David Cole (Kami) and Karen Jenkins (Jamie), grandchildren Eli and Aaron Cole (fiancee Ruby King), Breeann Hutchison (Jonathon), Erica Smiley (Mike), Jacob, Luke and Zach Jenkins and Amanda Smith (Clayton) Great Grandchildren Isaiah, Eden and Josiah Hutchison, Lilliana and Zayden Smiley, Nolan, Marlee and baby Smith. Also special in-laws Bob and Loene Johnson, Jim and Kat Johnson and Beryl Greer, as well as several nieces and nephews whom he loved.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at First Baptist Church New Lebanon, 335 South Church Street, where the funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Stephen Betts officiating. Burial to follow at Preble Memory Gardens. Contributions may be made in Grady's memory to the church. Arrangements by Newcomer Funeral Home, North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road. To share a memory of Grady or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.