Charles Lee Cole

DAD & Hero – Charles Lee Cole

He, the man, we call dad and share the surname, Mr. Charles Lee Cole, entered the world through the marriage of Lee Cole and Adrena Draper Cole as their second son on August 1, 1940.  As a sandy-brown haired and haze-eyed boy navigating his way through the streets of Los Angeles, California, he made his way to manhood standing tall and proud as a 6-foot 2-inch black man during a time that presented him with a myriad of challenges.  In spite of them all, he was able to enter his adult life with an array of hopes and dreams because of the love and guidance of his parents. 

Leaving the nest landed him in the arms of Carol, the woman he fell in love with, married and became the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Adrena and Arena.  He loved being a  father always expressing his love with the words:  “Daddy loves you!”  These three words combined with arms opened wide sharing hugs and kisses on the forehead joyfully carried us through our lives with a feeling that we could conquer the world. 

After overcoming some of life’s roadblocks, he resurfaced and met the world head on as a business owner.  With the dream of becoming a photographer, he worked during the day as a gardener together with his father and older brother and went to school at night to learn how to use his professional camera and how to develop film.  After completing his years of study as a photographer and with camera in tow, he set out capturing the essence of his subjects with his new-found skills.  His non-stop hustle taking photos in night clubs and various events soon allowed him the opportunity to open his own photography studio.   He expanded his business after purchasing a limousine and started a limousine business.

Not only did he love his family, photography, and being a business owner, he, absolutely, loved music.  As a child, going to bed and waking up to the sounds of the great jazz musicians playing loud on the stereo was evident of his love for music.  His love of music caused him to purchase a saxophone.  He spent many years teaching himself how to play his alto saxophone, and at the ripe young age of 79, he went back to school at Apple Valley Junior College and enrolled in several music appreciation classes.  He realized another one of his dreams in life and joined the school’s band and performed in several concerts.  It was a joy being in the audience to see our DAD play his saxophone and realize a dream come true. 

Strong, resilient, determined, hopeful, creative, entrepreneur, son, brother, husband, DAD, friend, student, and musician - Charles Lee Cole, our hero who said his last good-bye on April 17, 2024.  Thank you, DAD, for every small and great contribution that you imparted in our lives that made us strong, resilient, determined, hopeful, creative, entrepreneurs, sisters, friends, students, and your daughters: Adrena and Arena Cole.  Thank you! Loving You Always:  Adrena Cole, Arena Cole (deceased), Anthony Williams, Frederick Cole, Morton Edmonds-II, Alicia Edmonds, Amiya, Michael-III, Alijah, Morton-III, Maleah, Mariya, Aliya, Myles, and a host of family and friends. 

You are missed and will always be loved, our DAD & hero.