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Joshua Cole
In Memory of

Joshua Grant Cole

1989 - 2017

Obituary of Joshua Grant Cole

Joshua Grant Cole was born on August 14, 1989 in Bakersfield, California. He was the son of Leigh Walter Cole and Florence Lynn (Snoddy) Cole.   Josh attended high school in Michigan at Madison Heights and then Lamphere graduating with the class of 2008.   He was an excellent athlete participating with swimming and track setting several school records at Lamphere.  

Josh came from a military family, and following graduation he proudly followed in his father’s footsteps, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.   He loved his work and honorably served two tours in Afghanistan as a Machine Gunner for Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines.   Josh was a fierce competitor.   He loved body-building, often leaving a path of powder to his scale for his essential protein shakes.   He was handsome, out-going, funny, and blessed with a smile that could light up any room.

Josh had a heart of service for others, and none more than for his own daughter:  Cadence.   They loved to hang out together watching movies like Despicable Me and Mowana.   Being a saved Christian, Josh most of all enjoyed sharing Bible stories with his adoring girl.   When it came to baseball, Josh once again didn’t fall far from the tree, supporting his father’s favorite teams:  the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletic’s, and San Diego Padres.  

Sgt. Joshua Grant Cole, age 27, of Poway, California passed away at home on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.    

To cherish his memory Josh leaves his beloved daughter: Cadence of Poway; parents:  Leigh and Christine Cole of Monroe and Lynn Cole and Rick Vanbrunt of Bakersfield; wife:  Megan; maternal grandfather:  Gary Lee Snoddy Sr.; five siblings:  Calvin (Ashley) Hoppa of Redford, Michigan, Jeremy Griffith Cole (Savannah Lynn Rains-Cole) of Warner Robbins, Georgia, Amanda Evalea Lewis of Point Magoo, California, Alexandra Nicole Downing of Pensacola, Florida, and James Scott Cole of Bakersfield; a nephew:  Calvin Gary Cole; and several close friends:  (second mother):  Diana Slusarczyk; Mary Sue and Theodore Sylwestrzak; and their children who were like family:  Kristen and Rachel.

Friends may gather from 10:00am until 2:00pm on Monday, July 31, 2017 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.   Military honors will be presented at 2:00pm under the direction of the United States Marine Corps.   Procession will then follow to Lion of Judah World Outreach Center, 5732 Douglas Road, Toledo, Ohio 43613 for a 5:00pm worship service.   Pastor Joshua James will officiate and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to a Go-Fund Me Account established to benefit Cadence Cole.   Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.