Herman Cole

LEICESTER - Herman Paul Cole, 88, formerly of Cole Road, passed away Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Laurels of Summit Ridge. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Mr. Cole was employed with the US Postal Service, Accounts Division, and with the National Weather Record Center as a Supervisor of Data Reduction for 19 years. He was a member of the 44th Armored Infantry with the 6th Armored Division of the US Army during World War II, where he served for 18 months and in five major battles, including the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of Rhineland. In 1981, at the International Liberators Conference, Mr. Cole received the Certificate of Appreciation for Valiant Service from the US Holocaust Memorial Council for his contribution in the 1944-45 liberation of the Nazi concentration camps. He was also the recipient of the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star based on the Combat Medical Badge. Mr. Cole was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church, where he served two terms on the Church Council. Mr. Cole was the son of the late Joseph Archie and Allie Hall Cole. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Edna Mehaffey Cole, who passed away February 10, 2012; three sisters: Gwendolyn Wilson, Nannie Clark, and Annetta Price; and a brothers, Ray, Joe, George, and Lanie Cole. Surviving are his Goddaughter, Missy Shirey; sister-in-law, Era Cole; and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, with the Rev. Chris Webb officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:45-10:45 AM Friday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Marks Lutheran Church, 10 North Liberty Street, Asheville, NC 28801.