Not a day passes I am not reminded of the life you lead. I hear you in the music I listen to, I feel you in the luxury experiences this life has to offer, I can see you in the paintings the sky creates at sunset. I still grieve for the lost time, all of the stolen time. I find peace in knowing you were surrounded by love in your final moments, I wish it was enough. I can not stress just how much I wish it was enough. Because I heard a quote I resonated with recently, and all I thought of was you. “If love alone could’ve kept you here, you would’ve lived forever” and another that read “if tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.” I mourn the broken heart of your mother and sister, I will not fathom the loss of a sibling because I simply can not. The loss your mother endures each and every day without her only boy… I remember how she loved you while you were here I can not imagine how much love has accumulated since, with nowhere to go. I would change the course of history to give you another chance. I’d sacrifice anything for you. I am sorry that I was always a day late… I will never stop missing you Cole Barfield. My “ Womboli” I’ll always be your “Gookathens” I will also say, in confidence to all whom may read- at least Cole is reunited with his precious lady, his cat Ruby (Rubykins)

As a year passes I can only say, I love you as much as I always will forever ❤️
Rest well my sweet son and know I look forward to hugging you once again. You always give the best hugs.

Never a dull moment with you.. it was always fun with you around. I’m going to miss goofing off with you a lot..

You will forever be missed. We had grown apart for some years since 2020 but I will never forget you!! You were always so full of energy and down to do anything. There was a never dull moment being around you. You always knew how to make others laugh and were never negative.. you were truly the life of the party. I wish you and I had stayed in touch more often the past couple years and I regret not being the one to reach out first due to these circumstances.. may your spirit live on. And all of my condolences go to his parents and family, I could not imagine the pain that they are going through during these times. I pray that they heal from this.

You will forever be missed, Barfield. 🩷

First and foremost, my condolences to you Gina & Randy. 

  Words could not dare convey the emotion inside of me. Cole never stopped loving anyone he cared for, even when given every reason too… he was an unconditional lover, supporter, an unconditional friend. Anyone blessed enough to have Cole in their lives is enriched eternally, he made an impact on everyone he befriended. To just bear witness to that smile is to love him, he was so beautiful..
“A flower lent, not given. To bud here on earth, but to bloom in heaven.”

Gina and family,

Words seem so grey and lifeless at a time like this,
The things we say will always pale to the vibrant life we miss.
Memories are what we hold onto tightly, daily, nightly,
One step at a time, each minute ,each hour.
The hole left in our hearts might never heal,
But it reminds us all we are human and thank God we feel.
We felt the love, the joy, and the blessings of a life cut short while just getting started,
Now we mourn the what if’s, the maybe’s, the dreams of the recently departed.
They say “It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.”  I agree.  Cole was a fine young man, a caring soul, his mom’s best friend, pride, and joy. 
 A child preceding a parent in death is our worst fear, deepest pain,
Now, only our faith, our family, and our friends support keep us sane.
Reach out with a hug and open ears, 
Hold your pale words, listen to the mothers tears, 
Knowing she must face the future years,
Holding onto her little boys hand, wondering what if…

In a heavenly place, there is joy, hope, and laughter, Pain and tears are traded for the hereafter. 
The grave isn’t a dark closed space, 
But a bright expanse where all troubles are erased.
Our heavenly home awaits us with open arms,
Far, far away from all that harms.
Eternity together, reunited: is not too distant a journey to be patient.
Fight the good fight, be kind to one another,
Father, mother, sister, brother.
We are all spinning round on this crazy ball together,
We must not let anyone carry their burden alone.

Dearest Cole, you were wonderful, and remain so in all our memories. I still remember the first time I saw you, and interacted with you and your mom and your Nana at Nanas house in Scotch Plains. You were being bathed by your mother and Nana in the kitchen sink and wailing wailing with delight. You have left us far too soon. And I’m sure it’s because the good Lord wanted you by his side. You had an infectious laugh, and a great smile. I will always remember your smile. We bonded over lollipops. They were your favorite, and earned you the nickname, the lollipop man ! All through our correspondence back-and-forth we referred to each other as the lollipop men. And that is a rich memory for me, so keep smiling, keep laughing, it will stay with all of us, forever, and ever. You are always in my heart, always in my prayers, and in my soul. Rest in peace Lollipop man, rest peacefully. And give a big hug to Nana and Pop.  All my love, uncle Danny.

Cole was always such a fun, kind and happy soul. I always had so much fun with him and so grateful to have known him even though they were only brief moments. I wish you all the peace now. I know you are smiling down on us with those beautiful eyes. Rest easy Cole.

More than anything else I remember Cole’s gorgeous smile. From the smallest boy to a grown man, every time I saw him, his smile infected me with a big smile too.  He will be remembered for is warmth and humor and the joy they brought to his family.  And he will be forever remembered by me with that cheeky grin - and with such fondness and much love.   Here is to you, Cole!  I’m so glad you were here and see you by and by!   💜

I still really don't know what to say. Cole was always such a good kid with such a bright light in his eyes. Living as far apart as we did I only got to see him in what felt like snapshots. From the little wild child that wanted to wrestle and play with me, to the teen that was trying to figure out his lot in this life, to the young man that made friends as easily as the wind blows. I know he's in a better place, surrounded by those that love him. Keep shining that light for all to see Cole. You'll be with us always

Randy and Gina,
Janie and I are so so sorry.  Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. 

It’s just so hard to experience such losses in life. 

We love you all. Please know we are always here for you.  Please take care of yourselves.

When I think of Cole what always comes to mind was his trip to Arizona with his mother. At  fifteen he was a young man with an adventurous spirit, always looking for a challenge.

I asked him if he wanted to hunt for rattlesnakes and he leapt at the opportunity.  We drove out to Catalina State Park at dusk when I knew the snakes would be the most active. We hiked along a well known trail for about a mile until we came to a spot where the year before his cousin John had encountered his first rattler.

It was a small clump of bushes by the side of the wash. I told him that John had nearly been bitten  when he passed just inches from the snake. It had been a tiger rattler about two feet in length . Cole didn't have much faith that lightning would strike in the same place twice.

But as he came to within just a few inches of those same bushes we both heard the loud, clear rattle of a snake in the weeds. Cole approached cautiously and using the snake stick I had loaned him, he carefully pulled back the weeds to reveal a handsome specimen of a tiger rattler coiled and ready to strike.

I will never forget the look of pride and satisfaction on his face at having discovered such a fine looking animal.  He seemed doubly motivated to look for more snakes so we pressed on. We encountered two more snakes on that trail (both Diamondbacks) and Cole was elated to find them.

It is that spirit of adventure, that natural curiosity and enthusiasm for life that marked him as a young man ready to embrace the world and seek out what lies beyond the next bend. Although he has departed sooner than any of us would have wanted, what remains to us is a memory of him that will never be tarnished by the ravages of age. His step will never lose that sense of purpose. His back will never be bowed by the weight of years. His eyes will always shine with the optimism of youth. He will always be a young man, in his prime, searching out the next bend in the trail.

It has taken me some time to acknowledge in writing that my beautiful, kind, sweet nephew is no longer with us. I still can't come to grips with this. Cole was so much fun to be around. He gave the best hugs and had an infectious laugh. 

Gina and I have had so many adventures with our children from riding in airboats in the everglades, fishing all day and playing on the beach in Florida to running through amusement parks, ringing in the New Year and flying down ski slopes in New Jersey to exploring the wild west in Arizona to an awesome trip in London and so many more! 

It is impossible to grasp that Cole will not be physically part of our ongoing lives and the lives of our next generation but he will always be with us through our memories. Love you so much, Cole. xxoo ❤️Aunt Kathy

Cole, my sweet cousin ❤️ 

Cole was such a sweetheart. He had a way of making you smile with his smile. I remember being with him in my moms family room cracking up over something we were watching, and I remember thinking to myself in that moment how much I really enjoyed his company.  He was quiet and funny around me, much like myself.  He was such an adorable little boy that grew into a handsome, dapper young man. I hadn't seen Cole in a while and I'll never forget meeting him at the airport to find him wearing gold designer pants, as Adam says, his MC hammer pants 😄. That was my first introduction to his evolving high level fashion sense! 

My Florida family has a special place in my heart. I'll forever keep Cole as a special part of me and think of him often as I go through my life. Just as I have every day since last Tuesday. This week I was skiing and it reminded me of our trip snow tubbing. Great times. Great memories. 

Aunt Gina, Uncle Randy, and Ellie... I love you guys so much.  ♥️

These two became my family during my time in Ft Myers. Cole is one of the kindest kids I've ever met. I'll never forget you, buddy.

cole is by far one of my favorite people to have walked this earth. i will forever cherish the memories i had with him.  he was genuinely the most unique person i have ever met and i will never forget his laugh.
 i am severely heart broken and cant wait to celebrate his life!💚💟💚222

Dear Randy and Gina,

Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your son Cole.

We can't imagine the depth of heartbreaking sorrow that you are experiencing.

We are so sorry for your loss.

Kindest regards, prayers and love,

Brian & Linda Houston

Dear family, 
I am so saddened to hear this news about my kindergartener, Cole.
He was a handsome and fun little guy that always brought joy in our classroom❤️.
I'd see him occasionally and always greeted me with a smile and a "Hi Ms. Murray".  I pray for you all to cherish all memories and know how much you are in our hearts❤️.
Godspeed, Cole💙..xo

With a heavy heart we send our deepest condolences to you- Gina & Randy. The loss of your son is the most devistating news. We're thinking of you, sending love, and prayers to you both & Elita.

Cole was my son's first friend and Gina took me under her wing guiding  me into mamahood. We spent many, many days when the boys were young just enjoying life. My  heart is broken for Gina, Randy, and Ellie. May God hold you tight.

High school fun times  Cole always smart dressed.

Good times with family. Mother and Son's love forever in our hearts.

My heart hurts just to think the beautiful, so handsome Cole is gone. I remember when he was born, all of our children grew up together on Kimberly Lane, they were the happiest days ever!! This cute beautiful little boy with blonde hair “Cole” had brought so much joy and happiness to our little neighborhood. He will forever be loved and missed but his memories will live on!  And we will see him again and just think he will be watching over us all!! Rest in peace Cole a beautiful soul to watch over his fantastic mama, fabulous sister and really awesome dad!  Loving memories,  Jeanine Carriero. Oxox

OBITUARY

Cole Randall Barfield

February 16, 2000 – February 12, 2024

Hodges-Kiser Funeral Home

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