LANCASTER, SC – Mr. Donald Alfred Cole, Sr., loving husband of Pamela Jane Cole, passed away at the age of 71 at his home on Wednesday morning, March 20th, 2024.  After being diagnosed with terminal lymphoma in 2007 and being given six weeks to live, Don defied the odds and fought on for another 17 years.  He transitioned peacefully, in his sleep, in the company of family.

Don was born in Bangor, Maine on September 4th, 1952, to Noreen Leona Akerson and Donald Winthrop Cole.  He was raised in Millinocket, Maine, alongside his younger brothers, Daniel and David.  He graduated from Stearns High School in Millinocket in 1971 at the age of 18.

Don met his wife, Pamela Jane Preble, less than a year later.  The two were married on August 25th, 1972, and have been inseparable ever since.  They had three sons together, Donald Jr., Kenneth, and Ryan.

Don worked hard to support his family.  In the early days of his marriage, he worked for Pelletier's Roofing, Barnett's Construction, and Preble Oil, before taking a job working at Great Northern Paper.  In 1986, Don took a job with Bowater Paper Mill in Catawba, South Carolina, where he would continue working as a supercalendar operator until his lymphoma forced him into an early retirement in 2007.

Throughout his life, Don could frequently be found helping those in need.  In Maine, he was a volunteer firefighter.  But his generosity could be found in his willingness to always give shelter to family members in need, or aid to stranded, roadside motorists.  Whenever he encountered someone in need, he always did his best to help them out.

Don had many hobbies, including playing softball, riding motorcycles, and partying with friends around the campfire.  In his later years, he found pleasure raising koi in his koi pond with his wife, Pam.  But his greatest joy was his family, and he spent a significant amount of time acting as the family photographer, creating volumes upon volumes of photos of his loved ones.

Donald is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pamela Jane Cole; his sons, Donald Alfred Cole Jr. (Sarah Ferris), Kenneth Tobey Cole (Alison Lowery), and Ryan Leigh Cole (Sarah Elizabeth); his grandchildren, Aedan Gray Cole (Toni Evelyn Jenkins), Joshua Ryan Cole (Amber Nicole Myers), Trinity Elise Cole (Nathan Lee Corley), Brianna Leigh Cole, Michael Logan Cole, Steven Tobias Cole, Christopher Rayburn Cole, Kiernan Leander Cole, Killian Lowery Cole, and Rebecca Celeste Cole; his brothers, David Winthrop Cole and Daniel Wentworth Cole; his niece, Amber Leona Polston (Johnathan); and his nephew, Daniel Wentworth Cole Jr..  He is predeceased by his father, Donald Winthrop Cole, and his mother, Noreen Leona Cole.

Don was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be truly missed.

A visitation will be held in Donald's honor at Burgess Funeral Home in Lancaster, SC (https://www.burgessfunerals.com/) at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 24th, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM at the same location.  The interment will then be held at Lancaster Memorial Park in Lancaster, SC.  Pallbearers will be Aedan Gray Cole, Joshua Ryan Cole, Michael Logan Cole, Steven Tobias Cole, Kiernan Leander Cole, and Killian Lowery Cole.  Services will be officiated by the Reverend Randall Hatcher.

Flowers can be sent to Burgess Funeral Home at 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC 29721.  If you would prefer to donate a memorial tree in memory of Donald Alfred Cole, please visit our Sympathy Store.