Howard Cole

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Howard Wayne Cole of Bellflower, CA, on September 26, 2020 at the age of 73. Born November 8, 1946 to George Howard and Dorothy Wynona Cole in Amarillo, Texas, Howard was a devout Christian and devoted family man who proudly served his country and community. Howard Cole served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964- 1970. He served in Vietnam in 1965 to 1966, attached primarily to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and attained the rank of Lance Corporal with the Division’s Anti-Tank Battalion as an Ontos Crewman. His military honors included the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Select Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Badge and Expert Pistol Badge. In 1967 he married Linda Faye Langford of Downey, California. They settled in Bellflower, CA in December 1972 and together they had 5 children: Jackie Christine, Stephan Oliver, Christopher Ellis, Shanon Lee and Beth Ann; as well as a foster- son, Eric Dante Alexander. Howard was an active member of his community and supporter of his children's schools, including serving alongside his wife as a Co-President of the Bellflower High School Boosters. He was also a member of the Bellflower “Noon” Lions Club, a past President of the Bellflower Chamber of Commerce, and worked with the Lakewood Sheriff’s Department to found Bellflower’s Citizens on Patrol, in which he served for many years. He was honored at the Bellflower BRAVO awards as Volunteer of the Year twice, and in 2011 he received a commendation from the Lakewood Sheriff Department for 17 years of service with the Volunteer Program. Howard will be remembered most for his zest for life, service to his Lord Jesus Christ, and deep love for his family. He was an active member and leader of the Church of Christ, and his primary purpose in life was to see all his family members saved. He underwent heart surgery in July 2010, followed by a debilitating stroke that led to his early retirement from his job as a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer with Lockheed Martin Manned Space Systems Company. He passed peacefully in his sleep the morning of September 26, because of his heart failure. He was preceded in death by both of his parents as well as a son, Christopher Ellis Cole at 12 days old, and foster-son, Eric Dante Alexander at the age of 43. He is survived by his wife Linda; daughter, Jackie and her husband Elmer; son, Stephan and his wife Dawn; daughter, Shanon and her husband Mark; daughter, Beth and her husband Jason; daughter-n-law, Sharron Alexander-Griffiths and husband Brian; 16 grandchildren and 2 grandsons-in-law. Howard will be laid to rest on October 15th. Funeral services will be held at the Church of Christ on Ball Road in Anaheim at 12:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress, CA. Mortuary services are provided by Rose Cremation and Mortuary Services of Bellflower, CA.

Howard Cole

November 8, 1946 - September 26, 2020