Douglas King Cole, age 96, was born on February 26, 1927 in Athens, PA.  He passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023.  Mr. Cole was well loved and respected by all for his strength, integrity, strong work ethic and family values and love.

Douglas was a veteran of the United States Navy. He honorably served on the USS Gainard 706 in the Pacific during WorId War II. He was the last surviving plank owner of the now decommissioned destroyer. He worked from age 18, until retirement as a sheet metal welder at IBM in Endicott, NY.  He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Endicott, NY. In 1949 Douglas married Priscilla Albright and together they raised their 3 children in the house that he built in Endicott, until moving to Liverpool, NY where he lived the rest of his life close to family.

Douglas is predeceased by his wife, Priscilla (Albright) Cole; his son, Monte Cole; his mother, Margaret Newberry Cole; his sisters, Marjorie Cole (Lester) Atkinson and Lina Cole (Eugene) Rouse, and his brother, Bernard (Joan) Cole.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Cheri Cole (Robert) Creek of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; his son, D. Edward (Mary Kay) Cole of Camillus, NY; his daughter-in-law, Jane Cole of Liverpool, NY; his sisters, Roberta Pearl Haus of Owego, NY and Charlotte (Wesley) Smith of New Paltz, NY; as well as 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service at Tioga Point Cemetery in Athens, PA and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Faith Journey United Methodist Church in Clay, NY, or Central United Methodist Church in Endicott, NY