Stephen Earl Cole

Stephen Earl Cole, born February 21st, 1959 in Sayre, Pennsylvania passed away in the early morning of Friday, January 24th, 2020. Steve grew up in Pennsylvania where he spent his days helping on his family’s farm, and playing with his brothers and sister. In his late 20’s he married Carol Jean Vanderpool on March 3, 1984 and moved to Ontario, New York. They had 3 boys, Travis Michael Cole and twins Brandon Charles Cole and Nathan Louis Cole. In April of 1991 he and his family moved to Winder, Georgia where he became a proud employee of Thrall Car until their closure in 2001. He was an avid beekeeper all of his life, he was recognized by the local newspaper for his passion of beekeeping in September of 1998. In December of 1999 he and Carol divorced. He met his current wife Kelly Lou West in February of 2001. They married on April 18th, 2009 and became a proud step father to Kyle McGill. His passion was camping and trout fishing in the Georgia Mountains with his sons and grandchildren. He was known as “The Watermelon Man” to the locals, as you could find him selling watermelon on a hot summer day off Hwy 211. He was like a father to anyone that really got to know him, and for that reason everyone called him “Pappy”. He is survived by his wife Kelly, and his sons Travis, Brandon (Allison), Nathan (Kayla), Kyle, and Curtis Danford; his mother Carol Lynn Cole, his brothers Scott Cole (Connie) and Tim Cole (Becky), his sister Rebecca Metcalf (Kevin); grandchildren Hannah, Carson, Caiden, Ava, Bella, Remi, Colton, Molly, Ryliegh and Asher. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Stanley Cole. Pappy was a great man and he will be truly missed by his family and friends.  No services will be held at this time.  Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.