George R. Cole's Obituary
George Roland Cole passed away peacefully December 3, 2024 with his loving family by his side, after his battle with lymphoma.
George was born in Long Pine, Nebraska on July 21, 1934. He came to California in 1943 from Rupert, Idaho where he became a longtime resident of the Fremont area.
He served in the U. S. Army Reserve from 1953-1960 with the 49th Military Police company.
He attended Washington High School where he met his high school sweetheart, and future wife, Irene. Together they opened a successful Pleasanton grocery store, Cole’s Market. As a family, they ran the store for twenty-five years until their retirement in 1990.
After retirement, George and Irene enjoyed running their almond ranch in Delhi. They loved to entertain friends and family, travel, music, dancing and sports. They took pride in sponsoring the annual American High School "Tim Cole Basketball Tournament", created to honor the memory of their eldest son, Tim Cole.
George decided to explore cooking after his wife’s passing 9 and a half years earlier. He became a very good cook pouring his heart and soul into each dish while listening to his favorite “Big Band” era music.
George is survived by his children: Jeff Cole (April), and Denise Cabral (Neil); his sisters: Donna Facey and Sharon Santos; his grandchildren: Jeffery (Mandie), Nicole (Andrew), Jessica (Aaron), Kevin (Erin), Joshua (Maria), and Tyler (Gabby); and great grandchildren, Emma, Cadence, JT, Maverick, Rylee, Lillian, Eloise, Jett, and Cruz. George will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Private services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of George to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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