Lt. Col. Eugene "Gene" Cole (USAF)

He was born July 12, 1918 to William and Clara Cole in Galena, Illinois. He graduated from Galena High School in 1936. Gene joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 receiving his aircraft mechanic training at Chanute Field near Chicago. A Pearl Harbor Survivor, he was stationed at Bellows Field in 1941. He attended Officer Candidate School in Miami in 1942 and later served with the 500th Bomb Squadron in the 345th Bomb Group in the South Pacific. In charge of B-25 maintenance, he was stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan when the Korean War broke out. From 1951, assignments took him and his family to air stations in Georgia, Germany, Montana and Wisconsin. Lt. Colonel Eugene Cole, USAF, retired in Wisconsin after serving his country and a vision of world peace for 24 years.

Upon his military retirement in 1964, Gene moved his family to Oregon. He was drawn to the climate of the Northwest and the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, which reminded him of the Rhine River Valley, he so loved. He soon found a job and began a new career working for Riviera Motors Northwest and later Automotive Services, retiring again in 1986. Not one to remain idle, Gene coached junior league bowling for over 40 years and drove cars for local Toyota, Chevrolet and Dodge dealers.

Gene enjoyed an active life, with an enthusiasm for helping others. He was eager to help with the family grape harvest every fall. Aircraft, cars and bowling balls were the toys of his world, connecting him with others in work and play, and giving him a rich social life. He remained connected with Survivors of Pearl Harbor and those who served at Bellows Field. He always encouraged those around him to be successful and to discover the joys in life. His congenial personality and positive outlook touched the lives of many people.

Gene is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Cole; children, Katherine Elstrom, Richard Cole and Michael Cole; grandchildren, Ian Elstrom, Erik Elstrom and Karina Taylor; brother and sisters, Edwin Cole and Colleen Herman of Galena, Illinois and Audrey Davis of Dubuque, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews from coast to coast.

A memorial service with military honors will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at

1 pm at the Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ in Beaverton. A Celebration of Life Bowling Party will follow. Please honor Gene’s life by giving someone the confidence to succeed and dedicating your next bowling strike to him.

Arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel.