James Garland Cole Sr., 77, of Conover, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at his residence following a period of declining health.

James (Jim) was born September 11, 1947 in West Virginia to the late Millard Carl Cole and Sarah Elizabeth Michaelson Cole. He served honorably in the US Army for twenty four years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He earned two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for Valor in the Vietnam War, and continued his passion for taking care of Soldiers in his last position as the Chief of US Army POW/MIA Recovery Operations. In this role, he served as the liaison between the Army and the League of Families, whose mission was locating and returning missing service members to their families. Many families expressed great appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Jim for this commitment, one that he kept until the day of his passing. Jim loved spending time with his three grandchildren, reading, golf, and playing poker and cribbage. He loved collectibles such as Bosson Heads, NASA flight patches, and military service medals and badges.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Naomi Dunlap.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Campbell Cole; daughter, Jennifer Whipple and husband Joe; son, James Cole Jr. and wife Valerie; grandchildren, Campbell Whipple, Brett Whipple, and Jason Cole. Also surviving are his siblings, Carl Cole and wife Judy, Betty DeRaimo and husband Jimmie, and Debby Rosales and husband Joe; in-laws, Dick and Linda Fisher, Denise Campbell, and John Dunlap; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held by the family at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Safe Harbor at 210 2nd Street SE, Hickory NC, 28602; Fostering Hope Catawba Valley at P.O. BOX 381, Hickory, NC 28603-0381; and the National Museum of the United States Army at https://armyhistory.org/donate.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.