Byron Joseph Cole

Born on October 16, 1941, in Terre Haute, IN, he was the son of the late Joseph and Vera (Pirtle) Cole. Byron graduated from North Side High School in Ft. Wayne, IN. When he was 16, he began his apprenticeship as a Patternmaker at Cole Pattern & Engineering Co., Inc. He attended Purdue University, and became a Journeyman Patternmaker on June 1, 1963.

During his apprenticeship, he fell in love and married Joyce and they were happily married 57 years. As the Cole family business grew, his interests led to the family’s newly formed Fort Wayne Foundry, where he began to take on leadership roles, along with his father, brothers and sister. After his father’s passing, Byron stepped into the role of Patriarch in the Cole family business as CEO of Fort Wayne Foundry Corporation. The Cole family business provided thousands of area residents with employment over its 50-plus years. During the height of the business, they became a major employer in the area with six facilities and over 1,200 employees. As a corporate leader, Byron was known for his sharp mind, good temperament, steady patience, and unwavering fairness. Yet his professional accomplishments were only part of who he was. Byron Cole was a man of God, devoted to his family and friends, filled with compassion and understanding, and continually generous – supporting numerous local charities and his church to offer hope to those in need.

Byron is survived by his daughters, Kellie (Mark) Patillo and Cheryl (Tim) Duncan; grandchildren, Allison (Graham) Blackwood, Cole Duncan, David Hein, Stephen Hein (Allie Sutton), Claire (Dustin) Winfree, Preston (Ellen) Patillo, and Bailey Patillo (Chris Daniels); great-grandchildren, Mila, Nadia, Anna, Avery, and Beckett; brothers, C. Richard, and Kent (Wendy); sisters, Jodi (Craig) Chapman, and Kara (Russ) Alberson; brothers-in-law, Stan Escott, and Art Kelley; and sister in-law, Kathy Cole.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce; stepmother, Dolores; brother, lonnie; sisters, Vera Joanne Escott and Sue Kelley; and sister-in-law, Melinda Cole.

A memorial gathering will be on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, at St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46835, with a Memorial Service to begin at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to St. Joe United Methodist Church or the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission in his honor.

May his life continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.