David Forrest Cole

Mr. David Forrest Cole, 72, of Fayetteville, NC, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

David was born November 21, 1950, in Anderson, SC, to the late Forrest DeWitt Cole and Sara Frances Drennon Cole.  He was co-director at Life Opportunities Therapeutic Home Services, a company that he founded with a friend,  and that treats and helps troubled young people.  

David is survived by his wife, Kathryn Davenport Cole; son, Bryan David Cole; daughter, Kristin Cole Huggins (and husband Chad); brother, Steve Cole (and wife Barbara); grandchildren, Hunter and Alexandra Cole, and Ethan, Alysia, Evan, and Andrew Huggins.  David was preceded in death by his son, Johnny Cole.

David loved and cared deeply for others, especially for his family.  He was a loving husband, a devoted dad, and a selfless Pop to his six grandchildren.  He loved going on trips with his family, going out to eat, going to events with Kathy, and attending his children's award ceremonies and sports events, and later doing the same with his grandkids.  He was very connected to his church, Lafayette Baptist, where he and his wife have been members for over 30 years.

David loved working with children, and at the time of his illness, was a Sunday school teacher in the kindergarten and first grade class. For many years previous to Covid, he also served as a church counselor for children's camp.  His grandchildren really loved that he was at camp with them!

Before moving to Fayetteville in 1990, David worked at John De la Howe Children's Home in McCormick, S.C. for 10 years. He and his family lived on the campus and it was a wonderful place to live. He greatly enjoyed working with the staff to improve the lives of the children who resided there.

During the last 20 years, the children that Pop loved the most were his grandkids. He was their main chauffeur, taking them to and from school, to soccer practice, to church activities, and out to eat!  He was generous with them, maybe spoiling them like grandparents should, and they loved it, and they sure loved their Pop!

David was a quiet guy and a great listener, and he gave wise advice. He had a witty sense of humor who made others laugh, and he was a good friend. Many people have said that he touched their lives in a meaningful way. He was well-liked by everybody, and he is already deeply missed.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., Saturday April 1, 2023, at Lafayette Baptist Church, 501 Hope Mills Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28304.  A celebration of David's life will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary.  The service will be livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel.

Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301.

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